The 19-year-old struck in the 23rd minute to give the Gunners a 1-0 win in front of a big final-day crowd.

Walcott coolly slotted home after latching onto a superb through-ball from skipper Gilberto.

With Sunderland's Premiership safety assured and Arsenal guaranteed third place, the game was very much an end-of-season affair.

Sunderland almost took the lead after 14 seconds, but Carlos Edwards' 30-yard volley was well parried by Lukasz Fabianski.

Arsenal should have taken the lead on six minutes but Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop, who was in the side in place of Craig Gordon, blocked at the feet of top-scorer Emmanuel Adebayor.

But the Gunners did go ahead when Walcott ran onto Gilberto's defence-splitting pass before firing home into the right-hand corner.

Sunderland were holding their own without creating many clear-cut chances, and Arsenal came closest to increasing their lead.

Centre-half Philippe Senderos's 35-yard shot flew just over the bar, and Walcott failed to hit the target from six yards as he connected with an Adebayor centre.

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones was forced off at half-time after injuring his wrist blocking a Gilberto shot, and his replacement Roy O'Donovan almost put his side level when play resumed.

O'Donovan's header looped over the bar, and he should have done better later in the half when he found himself alone in the box.

Roy Keane's team then had a penalty appeal turned down when Michael Chopra tangled with Alexandre Song in the area.

Arsenal substitute Mark Randall, 18, making his Premier League debut, had a late goal disallowed, and then forced a save from Fulop.

O'Donovan almost snatched an injury-time draw for Sunderland with an effort that forced a save from visiting 'keeper Fabianski, but Arsenal held on to end Sunderland's season on a losing note.