Sunderland vs. Arsenal: Score, Report and Reaction from Premier League Game

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 success at Sunderland.

The Gunners have blown hot and cold this season, but on a chilly afternoon in Wearside they were able to take the three points.

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Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal FT: Possession: 46%-54% Shots: 10-15 Chances created: 8-9 Clearances: 19-29. pic.twitter.com/SxmGib6V4l

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 25, 2014"

The win came courtesy of two goals from Alexis Sanchez, the first which owed much to a monumental blunder from Wes Brown, and the second from a Vito Mannone howler.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Sunderland were much improved, one week from being mauled by Southampton, but individual errors continue to plague the Black Cats.

Alarm bells rang early on for Sunderland, as keeper Vito Mannone spilled a cross from Calum Chambers that he should have gathered. Fortunately for the keeper, John O’Shea was on hand to clear the danger.

Danny Welbeck is settling in well to life as Arsenal’s key striking option, and he showed a glimpse of his class on 15 minutes. The England forward cut in from the left and flashed a curling shot just over the crossbar.

Arsenal were thankful that Per Mertesacker is every inch of 6'6" on 25 minutes, as he stretched out a long leg to get to the ball just in front of Patrick van Aanholt who was dashing into the box at pace.

After being beaten 8-0 by Southampton last weekend, Sunderland were looking for a positive response. What they did not want was to gift Arsenal an opening. On the half-hour mark, Brown did exactly that.

The former Manchester United man made a complete hash of a back-pass on the halfway line. Sanchez needed no second invitation, as he seized possession, drove forward and chipped an exquisite finish over Mannone.

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Who needs Özil when you could have Wes Brown. Slide rule pass

— Mean Lean (@arsenalvision) October 25, 2014"

Arsenal were entirely dominant but had found it tough to craft a clear opening. They were handed that by the Black Cats, and it enabled them to engage cruise control.

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

As in the first half, Sunderland made a solid start to the second, and a deflected shot from Jack Rodwell forced Wojciech Szczesny to make a save at his near post.

From there, Arsenal simply had the greater quality. The Gunners absorbed pressure and took the sting out of the game with sustained periods of possession.

Arsenal have had a torrid run with injuries, and it’s possible that another player will be in the treatment room, as Kieran Gibbs was forced off 16 minutes from time with what appeared to be a hip injury.

The Gunners had to shuffle things at the back, and there was a moment of concern when Szczesny dashed off his line and presented the ball to Van Aanholt, but he was unable to send his shot from 20 yards on target.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Sunderland pressed late as Arsenal dropped deeper, but the Gunners warded off the threat from the home side, and a late second from Sanchez sealed the win.

The ball was played back to keeper Mannone and he completely missed his kick, which allowed Sanchez to steal in and score.

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#safc booed off by those still here. They are suffering a crisis of confidence, and ability. #afc should have been more ruthless.

— Simon Bird (@SimonBird_) October 25, 2014"

Arsenal are well off the searing pace that Chelsea are setting, but they look well placed to make a push for the top four at the very least.

After a tough week for Arsenal, where they were held at home by Hull City and scraped past Anderlecht, a confident, comfortable win was just what Arsene Wenger would have wanted.

Arsenal will now return to the Emirates for winnable games against Burnley and Anderlecht, and victories may well put a spring back in the step of the Gunners.

Reaction:

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Wenger: "We were focused today. Maybe we missed some opportunities but we are very happy to get the three points" #SFCvAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 25, 2014"

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Boss: "Sunderland were keen to defend well today. We have all gone through big defeats but confidence will come back slowly" #SFCvAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 25, 2014"