Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore has admitted that he thought he had got his side level in their clash with Arsenal before referee Martin Atkinson chalked his goal off.

The American international clashed with Bacary Sagna before shrugging off his challenge and slotted an effort past Wojciech Szczesny, but Atkinson hauled play back for a foul on Altidore by the French defender.

Altidore told BBC Sport: "I was just tussling back and forth with Bacary Sagna but I thought the referee was going to let us play, I got the better of him and then finished it off but I didn't hear the whistle and it was brought back.

"The keeper didn't either as he played 100% and I think Kieran Gibbs tried to clear it too. It was a good time to score and it would have been a good reward for us."

Sunderland dropped to 20th in the Premier League as they fell to a 3-1 defeat to the Gunners at the Stadium of Light.