Joel Campbell and Hector Bellerin Partnership Helps Arsenal Past Sunderland

Arsenal’s hopes of winning a third successive FA Cup remain alive after a 3-1 victory over Sunderland in the third round. After a shaky start, the Gunners came from behind to triumph over Sam Allardyce’s side.

Key to their victory was the devastatingly effective partnership on the right flank. In an unfamiliar-looking Arsenal side, their burgeoning relationship was instrumental in securing the victory.

Arsene Wenger decided to restructure his midfield against Sunderland. The central midfield trio was comprised of Calum Chambers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi—the latter of whom was making just his second first-team start.

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That meant Arsenal lacked their customary technical stability in that part of the field. Without the likes of Mesut Ozil or Santi Cazorla to slicken their midfield passing, Arsenal were not quite their usual selves. When they fell behind to a Jeremain Lens strike, concern rippled around the Emirates Stadium. 

However, Arsenal were delivered from the possibility of elimination by the penetrative power of their right-sided performers.

It was Campbell who provided the equaliser, meeting a Theo Walcott cutback with a perfectly-executed side-foot volley. The composure with which he took the chance suggested a player whose confidence is growing on a weekly basis.

The manner in which Campbell took responsibility in this game was hugely encouraging. With some of Arsenal’s biggest stars absent, it was he who stepped up to make his presence felt, seizing the opportunity to operate as Arsenal’s chief creative force.

It should come as no great surprise that Football Insider (h/t the Daily Star) is reporting on a possible new contract for the hard-working forward.

He was involved in the second goal, too, executing a perfect one-two with Bellerin, who stormed to the byline before cutting back for Aaron Ramsey to tuck home.

The Spaniard wasn’t finished there—with the rest of the players on the field seemingly starting to fade, the tireless Spaniard tore upfield again to meet a long Oxlade-Chamberlain pass and square for Giroud to tap in.

Two assists in a single game is an impressive feat for any player—for one who’s a defender it’s remarkable.  

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In his post-match press conference, Wenger said Campbell was “very good,” and reserved special praise for Bellerin:

"

He became stronger and stronger. Sometimes I felt in the last 20 minutes, every time he went forward he created a chance on goal.

Of course [he is among the best right-backs in the league]. Look at the defensive and offensive numbers. The fact that he is only 20 years old, there is a lot more to come from him.

"

Bellerin’s performance is all the more impressive given the fact that he is one of the few Arsenal players who did not get a break over the festive period.

Doubts over the future of Mathieu Debuchy, combined with the redeployment of Chambers in midfield, have meant he’s had to fill the right-back role single-handedly during the most hectic part of the season. Nevertheless, his athleticism remains unparalleled. 

Little over a year ago, both Bellerin and Campbell were fringe players at Arsenal. However, the Spaniard is now one of the first names on the teamsheet, and Campbell is beginning to find his niche as a very valuable squad player.

With Alexis Sanchez set to miss the trip to Liverpool in midweek, Wenger will surely keep this pairing in place for the match at Anfield. If Campbell and Bellerin combine as they did against Sunderland, they’ll provide a stiff test for the left-hand side of the Liverpool defence.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.