Bent's 71st-minute strike, his ninth goal of the season, put paid to the Gunners' hopes on Wearside as the Black Cats prevented them from scoring for the first time this season.

It was the perfect response after his disappointing showing in England's friendly defeat by Brazil in Doha last weekend, and left his manager championing his cause to national coach Fabio Capello once again.

Asked if he would take Bent to South Africa if he were England manager, Bruce replied: "Absolutely, 100%.

"If there is a better one than him...we all know [Wayne] Rooney. But it's not just his goalscoring, his appetite and his work-rate are absolutely unbelievable.

"He played on his own today and ran a million miles for the team.

"For me, he would have to be [in the squad] because he scores a goal - he has scored against all the big clubs.

"I don't think he is going to be judged on a 55-minute friendly [appearance] in Qatar. I don't think Mr Capello will take any notice of that.

"I would have thought he will pick a team that's in form, and when you have got an outstanding goalscorer, as Darren is...

"That shows what type of person he is. His overall work-rate and attitude for it were terrific after what has been a difficult couple of weeks for him, missing [a penalty] at Tottenham and then the England debacle.

"But he has bounced back the way he should."

Bent's effort proved decisive as Sunderland drew Arsenal's sting and then made the most of their big chance when it came.

The striker got his head to Andy Reid's corner, but could only direct the ball against the legs of team-mate Fraizer Campbell.

However, the England international reacted quickest of all when the rebound fell into his path to blast the ball past keeper Manuel Almunia.

Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop had earlier made a fine save to deny Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas whistled a long-range effort just wide, but as time wore on, Arsenal's efforts to drag themselves back into the game became ever more desperate.

Substitute Carlos Vela had appeals for a penalty waved away in injury time, but the Black Cats held firm to ensure the points remained on Wearside.

Bruce said: "To beat Arsenal, you have always got to play well - and it wasn't one of those lucky ones either when Arsenal have missed chance after chance. That wasn't the case.

"We matched them in the middle of the park, and that was the key area to it. They are excellent in the middle of the park the way they play, they are so fluid.

"But defensively as a team, we set out a game-plan and stuck to it and got the result. It was terrific."

Defeat left the Gunners eight points adrift of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, and manager Arsene Wenger admitted they had only themselves to blame.

He said: "We lost a game and we can only fault ourselves because we didn't score.

"Some players were not at their best and we gave a goal away on the only situation where Sunderland could score one today, a set-piece, and that sums it up well.

"Rather than focusing on any individual, I believe it's more down to the fact that we made a big mistake on the corner, because the game was there for the taking in the last 20 minutes.

"But of course, 1-0 down makes it more difficult."

Asked about the late penalty incident, Wenger said: "It's difficult for us to get penalties, even the most obvious ones."

Asked further what he meant by that, he replied cryptically: "I mean nothing."