Sunderland v Arsenal: Gunners Ratings as Giroud and Sanchez punish Black Cats
Arsenal traveled to the Stadium of Light in hopes of maintaining a place at the top of the Premier League and they did just that.
The visitors put the hosts under early pressure and it finally resulted in a 19th minute opener for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
It looked like Sunderland were going to be able to try to scrap their way to a point following the equalizing penalty strike of Jermain Defoe if they just kept to their game plane.
However, a super-sub performance from Olivier Giroud saw the Frenchman send the Gunners back 1-2 up with his first touch and the Arsenal bombardment commenced.
Giroud would score again moments later and then Sanchez would bookend the performance with a fourth for Arsenal and his second of the game in the 78th minute.
PLAYER RATINGS
Pter Cech – Not the veteran’s best match and was at fault for allowing Sunderland’s penalty. – 6.0
Hector Bellerin – Solid performance from the young Spaniard, rarely was troubled on the day. – 7.0
Shkodran Mustafi – Remains a good looking piece of summer business and is working hard to maintain a permanent place in the first team. – 7.0
Laurent Koscielny – Was not troubled at all by Defoe and Watmore. – 7.0
Kieran Gibbs – Provided the cross for Giroud’s go ahead goal, worked hard in attack. – 7.5
Mohamed Elneny – Calm and composed display in the middle of the park and continues to show improvement and promise. – 7.0
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Francis Coquelin – Not his best display in an Arsenal shirt. Looked out of sync and a bit complacent. – 6.5
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – As always his pace caused the defense problems and he provided the assist for Sanchez’s opener. – 7.5
Mesut Ozil – Was a threat with his creative spark but was off target in front of goal. – 6.5
Alex Iwobi – Struggled to get into the game and make an impact, was first to make way and replaced by Giroud. – 5.0
Alexis Sanchez – A fine display from the hard working Chilean as his two goals and constant harassment of the Sunderland defense earned him a man of the match award. – 9.5
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SUBSTITUTIONS
Olivier Giroud – Made Arsene Wenger look like a genius for holding him in reserve. His two quick goals but the game to bed. – 8.0
Aaron Ramsey – Helped close out the match by tidying up the midfield. – 6.0
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Brought on very late, had no effect on the result. – N/A
The Gunner return to the top of the League for the moment and will now look forward to a return to their UEFA Champions League campaign in mid-week.