Summary

  • Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Flamini, Campbell, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.

  • Sunderland XI: Pantilimon, Coates, O'Shea, Kaboul, Yedlin, M'Vila, Toivonen, Van Aanholt, Watmore, Fletcher, Borini.

Live Reporting

Stephan Shemilt

  1. That's all from this live text. I'm off to sum it all up in a  report. Keep your eyes on our main live text for all the reaction. Bye for now.

  2. FULL-TIME

    Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland

    That's the whistle. Arsenal win 3-1, but that's only half a story. Sunderland can feel aggrieved.

  3. goal

    GOAL - Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland

    Aaron Ramsey

    Aaron RamseyAFP

    That's yer lot. Aaron Ramsey gets in quickest to poke in from a goalmouth scramble. Arsenal have three goals and three points. The Emirates can breathe easily, but it's been hard work.  

  4. CLOSE!

    Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Is that Sunderland's last chance? Patrick van Aanholt in acres of space on the left of the Arsenal box, blazing over.

  5. Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Very, very flat at the Emirates. Rumours of five minutes added time.

  6. John Motson
    BBC Match of the Day commentator

    Arsene WengerEPA

    "You can see the anxiety on Arsene Wenger's face as they enter the last few minutes."

  8. SUBSTITUTION

    Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Now Giroud comes off in place of Calum Chambers. Another attacker for a defender. Wenger probably has Olympiakos in mind too.

  9. Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Kieran Gibbs in on for Arsenal, replacing Joel Campbell. Gibbs at left wing. A sign of Arsenal's injuries, or where Wenger sees this game going? Maybe a bit of both?

  10. Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Sunderland are not beaten, you know, while Arsenal still look as though they might wobble. The Black Cats come down the right, Duncan Watmore has loads of room, but scuffs his shot straight at Cech.

  11. Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    At the right end for Oliver Giroud this time, finishing a second wonderful Arsenal move. Both have led to goals. They are the only real moments of quality the Gunners have produced.

    Arsenal goalOpta

  12. SUBSTITUTION

    Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Borini off, Johnson on for Sunderland.

  13. CLOSE!

    Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Off the line! Giroud's header from a corner is nodded away at the back post. Finally, Arsenal are showing something. The Emirates sings its approval.

  14. SUBSTITUTION

    Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    In the aftermath, Theo Walcott returns for Arsenal, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

  15. Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Garth Crooks
    Former Spurs striker on Final Score

    "What a good goal. Olivier Giroud's movement is great - he times his run in parallel with Aaron Ramsey so well - and the finish on the head is beautiful."

  16. goal

    GOAL - Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

    Olivier Giroud

    Olivier Giroud scoresPA

    He's scored at both ends (sort of, because it's actually the same end, pretty much exactly the same spot)! Olivier Giroud puts Arsenal ahead, finishing a lovely move with a stooping header. Arsenal have been well below par, but surely they won't give this up now?

  17. SUBSTITUTION

    Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland

    Sunderland withdraw the impressive Ola Toivonen in favour of Jack Rodwell. Remember him?

  18. John Motson
    BBC Match of the Day commentator

    "Arsenal really do look like they are missing key components here."

  19. Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland

    Fletcher clattered his shin against the post. He's off the field, but he looks like he'll be OK. As for Arsenal, they are all over the shop.