In the end it was the 3 points which mattered most after a tough trip away to Anderlecht on Wednesday. With Sunderland being dealt a major blow in confidence last weekend when the Saints put 8 past them, the North East club were always likely to be jittery. However Arsenal looked like a team playing with their handbrakes on and it was only 2 horrendous mistakes from the Sunderland defence which gifted them the 2-0 away win.
Wojciech Szczesny: 3/5
Hardly had any work to do and the things he had to do he did properly.
Kieran Gibbs:
3/5 The injury late on in the match was really disappointing. However Kieran Gibbs had a decent performance on the left of the Arsenal defence with his forays down the left being quite effective.
Per Mertesacker: 3.5/5
Easily the best Arsenal player on the field after Alexis Sanchez. He was a rock in the defence and at 1-0 ahead, dealt with all the Sunderland balls into the box very effectively. Was a symbol of calm and with him in the back Arsenal never looked like conceding.
Nacho Monreal: 3/5
A much better game at centre half and also performed quite well when he moved to the left back spot after Kieran Gibbs’ injury. He is looking more and more comfortable at the centre half position which is good news for all Arsenal fans.
Calum Chambers: 3/5
Another solid performance at the back for Calum Chambers. Both at right back and when he was shifted to the centre back position did he look to have any problems.
Mathieu Flamini 2.5/5
The Frenchman did his defensive duties quite well protecting the fragile Arsenal back four. However did not offer anything up the field.
Mikel Arteta: 3/5
Had a decent performance in the first match since his return and kept things ticking over.
Santi Cazorla: 2/5
Easily the worst Arsenal player of the night. With the amount of chances he had, he really should have broken his goal scoring drought today. The last miss right at the end was especially hard to believe.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain 2.5/5
The Ox had an average game today with the end product missing. He did not really contribute much to the Arsenal game upfront today.
Alexis Sanchez: 4/5
The best Arsenal player on the field by a mile. Took both the 2 gifts he was handed by the Sunderland defence brilliantly and it was his efforts that separated the two sides.
Danny Welbeck: 2.5/5
The England international had an average game to be honest although he was unlucky to have been booked. Set up 2 very good chances for Santi Cazorla but himself missed a header in the second half which he should have buried home.
Substitutes:
Hector Bellerin: 3/5 Since he came on he was quite aware and stopped two crucial attacks from the right.
Aaron Ramsey: N/A
Tomas Rosicky: N/A