- Campbell, Giroud, Ramsey score
- Giroud OG gave Sunderland hope
- Arsenal up to second in table
- Sunderland in 17th
Arsenal beat Sunderland 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with the Gunners recovering from their huge injury woes to grab a much-needed win.
Joel Campbell gave them the lead but Olivier Giroud then scored an own goal but headed in at the right end to make it 2-1. Aaron Ramsey made it 3-1 late on after Sunderland threatened on the break.
With the win Arsenal went second in the table on 30 points, while Sunderland remain on 12 points.
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Sunderland looked lively on the counter in the early stages with Fabio Borini getting some space on the edge of the box, driving forward but his driven shot was saved by Petr Cech.
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Arsenal’s defense looked shaky at times with Sunderland testing them in-behind but the Gunners were soon 1-0 up thanks to yet another moment of magic from Ozil.
The German playmaker collected a lay-off from Giroud and feed a ball in behind USMNT defender DeAndre Yedlin -- who was napping at right back -- that Campbell latched on to and slotted home. 1-0 to Arsenal as the Costa Rican international celebrated in trademark fashion by pulling a pacifier out of his shorts and sucking on it. Seriously.
Right on half time Sunderland were level as Yann M’Vila’s free kick from the left flank was headed into his own net by Giroud. 1-1. In first half stoppage time Aaron Ramsey side-footed wide after Nacho Monreal’s cross as Wenger’s grim expression said it all.
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Sunderland came close to going ahead before the hour mark as M’Vila’s corner was flicked to the back post but Cech saved superbly from Fletcher. Moments later Arsenal were back ahead as Giroud atoned for his own goal, heading in Ramsey’s cross at the near post. 2-1 to the Gunners.
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Ramsey added another late on to seal the win as the injury-hit Gunners went second.
