SOCCER/Sunderland - 0 Arsenal - 3: This should bring the price down. Sunderland's 28th defeat of the season came on the day Niall Quinn and his backers took a stride towards their takeover of the depressed Wearside club, and while an attendance of 44,003 displayed the potential that so stimulates Quinn, the home performance was a reminder of why Quinn is needed in the first place.
It was Quinn's last club against his first and the mismatch must have pained him. This was only the Gunners' fifth away win, but it was achieved without discomfort, and another on the road at Manchester City on Thursday night would leave them within a point of Tottenham and fourth place on Sunday.
Arsenal then play host to Wigan Athletic in Highbury's farewell, while Spurs go to West Ham United, though Arsene Wenger was disinterested in possible intrigue. Wenger was instead consumed by anger at a last-minute hack by Sunderland substitute Dan Smith on Abou Diaby that saw the Arsenal midfielder depart on a stretcher.
From there Diaby went to hospital, and Wenger was enraged that referee Dermot Gallagher failed to produce a red card.
"It was a bad kick and it was not needed," said Wenger, "it looks to be a serious ankle injury. It is not acceptable. Players can have their careers damaged because someone on the same pitch does not respect them. So on one side I'm very happy with the players, on the other sad."
Sunderland know all about mixed emotions. This was another poor performance in a season full of them. "We're shit and we still turn up," sang the fans.
Quinn is not deterred, however. It is where he can take Sunderland, rather than where they are, which is exciting him. He flew in from Dublin yesterday morning to meet the chairman, Bob Murray. The exclusivity agreement that Quinn required to take the process on was signed by Murray yesterday.
Due to the legalities, Quinn is limited in what he can reveal, but before kick-off he said: "Our bidding vehicle is currently in discussions with Sunderland. Unfortunately stock exchange rules mean I cannot give you any details. Hopefully it will lead to an offer and an offer which is satisfactory.
"I can't let you know specific details, but I am chairman of the bidding vehicle. The only thing I'll say is you don't play a game of poker by letting everybody know your hand, but my guys might have a good hand."
Quinn will need it, and even if this match strengthened his argument about the need for regeneration, until Murray finally agrees to the sale, it is a theoretical takeover. Judging by his language yesterday, Murray is willing to go.
"I've been here 20 years and murderers don't get that long," he said of his tenure. "I'm delighted about today and I don't think there will be anyone happier if this deal goes through than me and my family. I really want to see it through.
"The good thing about football is you meet people like Niall Quinn. I know he's the right man for this job. He'll do it justice. He will do everything in his power to bring success to Sunderland."
The three goals Arsenal scored before half-time re-enforced the chasm between them and Sunderland. Quinn said a few words in the home dressingroom beforehand, and until the 28th minute, with Arsenal sluggish, there was parity. Then Henry intervened and within 15 minutes it was 3-0.
First Henry supplied the swerving free-kick from which Sunderland's Danny Collins scored an own goal, and five minutes before the interval Henry spotted Cesc Fabregas sprinting down the right. Henry's pass was perfect and Fabregas dinked the ball past the stranded Kelvin Davis.
If Davis was not at fault for that, three minutes later, as Henry lined up another free-kick, the Sunderland goalkeeper left too much room at his right post. It was obvious Henry would put the ball there, and he did. Davis looked surprised.
A dull second half was notable for a Jens Lehmann save from Kevin Kyle, a poor miss from Arsenal substitute Robin van Persie and that reckless foul at the end by Smith.
Guardian Service
SUNDERLAND: Davis, Nosworthy, Breen, Danny Collins, McCartney, Stead (Le Tallec 33), Whitehead, Miller (Leadbitter 82), Daryl Murphy (Smith 62), Brown, Kyle. Subs Not Used: Caldwell, Alnwick. Booked: Kyle, McCartney, Smith.
ARSENAL: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Clichy, Fabregas, Diaby, Song Billong, Pires (Cole 65), Henry (Bergkamp 72), Adebayor (Van Persie 65). Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou. Goals: Danny Collins 29 og, Fabregas 40, Henry 43.
Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
