The Gunners cruised to a 4 – 1 victory over a struggling and winless Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light to further compound David Moyes woes. A classic display in the 2nd half put the hosts to the sword following a 1-nil 1st half lead.
Braces from Sanchez and Giroud sent Arsenal to the top of the league, and here is how each of Arsene Wenger charges fared.
Cech
Couldn’t keep his 5th clean sheet of the season after committing Watmore to gift the hosts a penalty. Despite failing to keep out Defoe’s resultant spotkick, he still had an average game. Apart from the goal, he had next to little to do at the back.
Rating : 3/5
Bellerin
Played more as a winger as opposed to a full-back, and still had a good game. Was involved in the 1st goal having put a pass through to Oxlade for the assist.
Rating : 3/5
Mustafi
Had an excellent game bar his allowing Watmore through on goal prior to Cech’s foul. Created a couple of chances from midfield by laying through passes upfront. His solid partnership with Koscielny continued and he once again proved to be a great signing.
Rating : 3/5
Koscielny
The Arsenal skipper was strong as usual and might have prevented Watmore from getting the goal if Cech hadn’t fouled the Sunderland forward. Troubled Defoe all game and was unlucky not to have helped his team keep a clean sheet.
Rating : 4/5
Gibbs
Put in a great display at left-back in the absence of Monreal, and also threatened going forward. Was unlucky not to have gotten a goal himself. He, however, provided a perfect cross for the first of Giroud’s goals.
Rating : 4/5
Elneny
Played an attacking role in midfield in Cazorla’s absence and had a good game by any standard. Was all over the place as Arsenal took control of the midfield all game.
Rating : 3/5
Coquelin
Put his body on the line more than once as he produced a great defensive game in the middle of the pitch. His displays meant the likes of Koscielny and Mustafi were hardly troubled as he provided much-needed cover. He also made a lot of interceptions.
Rating : 4/5
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Had another great game following his midweek brace in the EFL Cup. He provided a fine cross for the opener following a short sprint down the right, and he could just take up the spot for himself with Walcott out injured.
Rating : 4/5
Ozil
Could have gotten Arsenal’s 2nd goal in the first half after been put through on goal, only to hit a tame loop which Pickford didn’t have a hard time dealing with. Laid some through passes down himself before finally getting his 1st league assist of the season from a corner.
Rating : 3/5
Iwobi
One of his off-days as he wasn’t at his usual best. Was substituted off for Giroud with 20 minutes to go. And it turned out to be a great decision from the technical line.
Rating : 2/5
Sanchez
Opened the scoring by beating Kone to place a fine header beyond Pickford’s reach. He also wrapped up the victory having done great to pick up Ramsey’s scrappy assist to put the game to bed. Dropped to the wing upon Giroud’s introduction and was responsible for the Frenchman’s first goal having fed Gibbs the assist.
Rating : 5/5
SUBSTITUTES
Giroud
Came off the bench to make an instant impact as his 1st goal helped restored Arsenal’s lead barely 2 minutes after his introduction. He showed the aerial prowess the team has been missing by rising beyond Sunderland’s Djilobodji to put a powerful header into the net to get his 2nd.
Rating : 4/5
Ramsey
Gave an assist to Sanchez after coming on with some 10 minutes to go. Was the only remarkable thing he could.
Rating : 3/5
Miles
Made his EPL debut by replacing Coquelin in the closing minutes of the game.
Rating : Not available