Olivier Giroud scored a goal for each side as the Black Cats’ momentum came to a halt during a great game in London.
The Black Cats wasted several opportunities to take the lead in the first half, with Fabio Borini firing a golden opportunity straight at the legs of Petr Cech.
Sunderland were made to pay for spurning their chances just after the half-hour mark, when a seven move piece of play saw Joel Campbell fire past Costel Pantilimon to bring the lacklustre first half back into life.
Duncan Watmore, making his second Premier League start in place of the injured Jermain Defoe, proved to be a nuisance for the opposition for the second week in a row. The youngster won a free kick after Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny hauled him down – the Gunner picking up a yellow for his troubles.
Ola Toivonen dummied Yann M’Vila’s free kick, with Olivier Giroud sticking out a foot to put the ball beyond his own ‘keeper on the verge of half-time.
Despite missing several key players, Arsenal dominated the second half and reclaimed the lead on 63 minutes when Giroud headed home Aaron Ramsey’s exquisite cross – this time scoring against the Black Cats.
Ramsey secured the points with a goal of his own in stoppage time.
There were positives to take from the defeat, with Watmore impressing once again and Sunderland getting the right balance of attack and defence – despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.
The Stadium of Light hosts the highly impressive Watford next week, in what is surely a must-not-lose for Sam Allardyce’s men with a run of Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool following the Hornets’ visit.
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Coates, O’Shea (c), Kaboul, Yedlin, Toivonen (Rodwell 62), M’Vila, Borini (Johnson 67), Watmore, Fletcher (73)
Subs: Mannone, Jones, Rodwell, Gomez, Johnson, Lens, Graham
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny (c), Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Walcott 64), Flamini, Ozil, Campbell (Gibbs 76), Giroud (Chambers 80)
Subs: Ospina, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Chambers, Walcott, Iwobi
Goals: Campbell (33), Giroud (45 OG, 63), Ramsey (90)
Booked: Koscielny (44), Yedlin (80)
Man of the Match: Petr Cech
