Arsenal arrived at the Stadium of Light looking to return to the top of the table in the early kick off.
Sunderland were in abysmal form going into the game, having not yet picked up a win in the league.
The pressure was growing on David Moyes, and the Scot needed to pick up a point at least to avoid yet more criticism.
Arsenal started the brighter. Messed Ozil should’ve done better when he side-footed a tame effort at the Sunderland stopper.
When Francis Coquelin was played clean through, it looked as if Arsenal would score, but the Frenchman lacked poise and the chance disappeared.
The Gunners didn’t have to wait too long for the opener – in the 19th minute, Alexis Sanchez rose highest to expertly head home Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross after an excellent team move.
The half wore to a close with Arsenal in cruise control, but the second half was a different story.
Sunderland came out of the traps and began to close Arsenal more and pressed much higher up the pitch.
Still, the boys from London should have put the game to bed when two chances for Chamberlain went to waste. Alexis should’ve had a penalty, then moments later Sunderland were awarded one when Petr Cech brought down Duncan Watmore.
Jermaine Defoe equalised to give Sunderland hope… Enter Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman scored two with his first two touches, flashing home a volley and flicking in a delightful header, and Alexis’ neat finish past Jordan Pickford concluded the scoring.
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