Richard Mennear's analysis: Arsenal thrashing makes it worst ever start to season in Sunderland's history

Sunderland were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland's season goes from one crisis to another and the statistics make for depressing and deflating reading.

This is now Sunderland's worst ever start to a season in their history.

Played 10. Won none. Drawn two. Lost eight. The Premier League's lowest scorers with seven while they boast the second-worst defence, with 20 goals shipped so far.

Defeat to Arsenal means the Black Cats have managed just two points from their opening 10 games, with a goal difference of minus 13.

That is the worst start ever to a Premier League season - Manchester City also had two points in 1995-96 but had a superior goal difference.

This is also Sunderland's worst start to a league season after 10 games in ANY division.

The clock's haven't even gone back yet and they already find themselves seven points adrift of safety. Seven.

With the goal difference that is effectively eight, so three wins just to pull themselves out of the mess they currently find themselves in.

No wonder fans started streaming out when Arsenal scored the fourth of the afternoon. Under-pressure David Moyes said afterwards his side didn't collapse.

It is hard to agree with that, though, Sunderland shipped three goals in the space of six-and-a-half minutes.

Arsenal are a top side, of course, and they are in the hunt for the title this season. This was always going to be a difficult match.

But having weathered an early storm and to be only 1-0 down at half-time, Sunderland always had a chance of getting back into the game.

They did too, but then shot themselves in the foot in dramatic style. Or more, blasted their foot off. Jermain Defoe scored a penalty to equalise in the 65th minute.

Yet, by the 78th minute, they found themselves 4-1 down. Fans streaming out after they had let their side know their feelings.

Sunderland's fragility is frightening at times. Everton, Crystal Palace and now Arsenal have all scored three times in the second half at the Stadium of Light this season.

There appears to be very little light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. You can't fault the effort but the quality is severely lacking.

Sunderland were backed by 44,322 fans. Incredible support given the current plight.

They want a team to be proud of but at the moment it will be a long and bumpy road until that point is reached.