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Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings: Was Costel Pantilimon our man of the match?

A look at the individual performances at the Emirates

Jack O'Sullivan

Thursday 21 May 2015 18:10 BST

Sunderland secured their Premier League survival with an impressive point at The Emirates - thanks largely to a sterling defensive display from goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.

A point ensured that Arsenal will all but finish the season in third place, meaning they will enter next season's Champions League at the group stages.

Despite racking up 28 shots - and enjoying 75 per cent of the possession - the Gunners could not find a way past a dogged and determined Black Cats rearguard. The visitors did not park the bus, however - they had real chances to take all three points, mainly courtesy of Patrick van Aanholt and substitute Steven Fletcher.

Arsenal's failure to find the net meant that they failed to score in three consecutive home Premier League matches for the first time in over six years.

Dick Advocaat's job is complete, having guided his side to survival. His future at The Stadium of Light past this season is uncertain, but his latest achievement ranks highly on an already stellar CV.

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

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Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Kieran Gibbs

Saw a lot of the ball but his crosses were too often blocked. Worked hard, but to little avail. 6

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Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Laurent Koscielny

Fortunate to get away with a handball that denied Jermain Defoe with a clear run on goal - but otherwise looked confident and competent at the back. Impressive bringing the ball out from the back. 7

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Per Mertesacker

Shown up for his lack of pace on multiple occasions and needed his defensive partners to come to his rescue. 6

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Aaron Ramsey

Shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Sebastian Larsson, and too often looked for a perfect pass instead of surging towards goal. 6

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Santi Cazorla

Utilised in a holding midfield role, meaning that the Spaniard had scant opportunity to show his undoubted attacking qualities - but he completed hs designated duties well. 7

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Alexis Sánchez

A disappointing performance for a player of his calibre. Has had a good first season with the club, and had the ability to change this game - but to no avail. 6

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Mesut Özil

One of his more ineffectual games this season - and there have certainly been a few. The Emirates crowd were audibly discontent with his latest poor showing when replaced by Rosicky. 5

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Olivier Giroud

For a player who had scored three goals in his last three matches against Sunderland, the Frenchman was disappointing - and looked ready for the end-of-season break. 5

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Theo Walcott

Offered slightly more than Jack Wilshere after coming on, with his runs forward causing panic at times. One of Arsenal's brighter sparks. 7

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Costel Pantilimon

His second-half performance - including a superb reaction save from Giroud - went a long way to securing Premier League survival for his side. 8/10

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

John O'Shea

Won his fair share of tackles, but looked nervy on the ball. Thankful for having a dominant Coates alongside him. 6

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Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Sebastián Coates

A true leader at the back for the visitors, throwing his body at any Arsenal effort that looked dangerous. On this performance, will be a big loss when he returns to parent club Liverpool. 8

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Patrick van Aanholt

Squandered a glorious chance to break the deadlock early in the second half, but his effort failed to beat Ospina when he could - and should - have squared the ball. 6

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Billy Jones

A good first half, but very quiet in the second period. Needed to be stronger in his challenges against superior opposition. 6

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Adam Johnson

Had a quiet game, and his replacement by Will Buckley made sense. A shadow of the player he has previously shown he can be. 5

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Sebastian Larsson

Sunderland's set-piece specialist, but never got a dead-ball opportunity to shine. Linked up well with his fellow midfielders and looked one of the more threatening going forward. 7

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Lee Cattermole

An unusually quiet game for the tough-tackling midfielder, who needed to show more of his characteristic bite in order to get into the match. 5

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Connor Wickham

Offered more defensively than going forward, but a sign that he is happy to help out wherever needed. Put a real shift in before making way for Steven Fletcher at the interval. 6

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Danny Graham

Isolated on his own up front for large parts of the game, and did little when he received the ball. Rightfully replaced by Rodwell at half-time. 5

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 player ratings

Steven Fletcher

Should have done better with a second-half opportunity, but worked tirelessly after coming on and kept the ball well - more than playing his part in a crucial point for Sunderland. 7

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