Arsenal vs Sunderland match report: Aaron Ramsey swoops late to settle Gunners nerves after Olivier Giroud own-goal

Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal (Getty Images)

An afternoon to celebrate for Arsène Wenger: his team not only collected three points, they survived 90 minutes without suffering a single injury.

Victory, just about deserved, though never as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, took them second, two points behind Leicester. Just as significant, in the context of the midweek trip to Greece and a Champions League match against Olympiacos they must win 2-0 or by scoring three goals or more, was the clean bill of health.

“It was a very important match for us for psychological reasons,” said the Arsenal manager. Referring to a November haul of two points from three matches, he added: “We have had three disappointing results and lost important players [Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla]. We had to show we could win without them. We were nervy in the first half but in the second showed mental strength and desire.”

Sam Allardyce inevitably saw it differently. “I’ve now been here with five clubs and never created as many chances,” said the Sunderland manager. “We could have won, never mind got a draw, but for our frailties in front of goal. It was frustrating but I’m encouraged by the players’ performance.”

In spite of Arsenal’s injury problems Wenger could still field an XI full of seasoned internationals, with more on the bench. The latter included Theo Walcott, the latest of the wounded to return.

Joel Campbell scores the opening goal for Arsenal against Sunderland (Getty Images)

Sunderland had fewer resources to replace their injured: Jermain Defoe, Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson. Allardyce thus fielded a 5-4-1 formation that looked designed to come for a nil-nil. Appearances were deceptive. The wide men were forwards in disguise and the full-backs quick-heeled. They broke with alacrity to create decent chances throughout.

This was another match that underlined Petr Cech’s value. His size and reputation intimidate forwards. Twice Sunderland strikers bore down on him, both times they fluffed their shots. Fabio Borini ought to have put them ahead in the third minute, running on to Steven Fletcher’s pass only to quail when faced with Cech and scuff his shot. Late in the second half the lively Duncan Watmore did the same.

Arsenal’s lead was a slender goal at that point, as it was when Jack Rodwell, in a reminder of his class, played an angled pass to Patrick van Aanholt only for the full-back to blaze over. Previously, with the scores level, Cech denied a Fletcher effort after Ola Toivonen had flicked on Yann M’Vila’s corner.

Petr Cech watches as Olivier Giroud's flick goes in for an own-goal (Getty Images)

Cech also had his own team-mates to deal with. He prevented Mathieu Flamini scoring with his knee and Nacho Monreal with his chest, but was beaten when Olivier Giroud shinned in while attempting to clear an M’Vila free-kick.

That goal, on the stroke of half-time, marked the third match in succession Arsenal had let slip a lead. Their advantage had been gained, despite a surfeit of possession, from their first penetrative attack, in the 33rd minute. Giroud (below) laid off to Mesut Özil, who slid a perfect ball inside Yedlin for Joel Campbell to run on to. The Costa Rican, enjoying his run in the team, tucked away his second goal of the season.

Aaron Ramsey scores a third for Arsenal to secure victory over Sunderland (Getty Images)

Giroud’s own goal could have rattled Arsenal. But while always vulnerable on the break they controlled the second period, and Giroud restored the lead with a classic diving header from Ramsey’s cross.

Yedlin cleared a Giroud effort off the line, and the match remained in the balance until Ramsey sealed victory from close range in injury time.

Teams

Arsenal: (4-2-3-1) Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Flamini; Campbell (Gibbs, 76), Özil, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Walcott, 64); Giroud (Chambers, 81).

Sunderland: (5-4-1) Pantilimon; Yedlin, Coates, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Borini (Johnson, 66), M’Vila, Toivonen (Rodwell, 62), Watmore; Fletcher (Lens, 73).

Referee: Robert Madley.

Man of the match: Cech (Arsenal)

Match rating: 6/10