Arsenal should have been out of sight against Sunderland in the first half.
However, it took an equalising penalty and super sub by the name of Olivier Giroud to really kick the team into gear and win 4-1.
Here’s how they all got on.
Petr Cech – 7
The goalkeeper didn’t have much to do but he claimed the ball when called into action. Although he conceded the penalty…
Hector Bellerin – 7.5
A solid match and no real mistakes.
Shkodran Mustafi – 7
Reasonbly solid. The centreback made a superb pass right from the back just before half time.
Laurent Koscielny – 8
Solid. As per usual.
Kieran Gibbs – 7.5
The left-back was solid, overlapping and linking up with Iwobi well. He even added another dimension to our attack, which was nice. Definitely deserves his place in the starting XI.
Francis Coquelin – 6
The Frenchman put in a solid tackle on Steven Pienaar early on and didn’t take too many risks, except for when he gave away a free-kick on the edge of Sunderland’s area. He also went one-one-one with the keeper but was caught up with and tackled.
He took a shot in the second half when he really shouldn’t have… Not sure what he was doing there.
Mohamed Elneny – 7.5
The midfielder always seems do calm and although he may be a little slow, he’s a decent corner taker.
Mesut Ozil – 8
The German was pretty quiet until he had a shot in 13th minute which was saved. He was a bit slow in possession and had a chance to chip the keeper late in the first half but couldn’t quite get the lift. The goalkeeper saved it by his fingertips. Saying this, his passing was still beautiful. His ball to the Ox on the break in the second half was stunning. He also assisted Giroud when he came on.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 8
Another good game from the winger. He had an early chance, put in a fantastic cross for Alexis’ goal and never hid. He should have scored but he’s getting there.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's first half by numbers:
100% aerial duels won
89% pass accuracy
2 shots
2 chances created
1 assist
1 take-on pic.twitter.com/6Lg7YnOS57— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 29, 2016
Alex Iwobi – 7.5
The winger was everywhere at once. One minute he was at left-back while Gibbs got forward, the next he was linking up with Alexis. He does need to work on his shooting though. He had a decent shot from range that just went over the bar but another was straight at row Z.
Alexis Sanchez – 10
What else can I say about this guy that hasn’t already been said? His goal was a world class header and even then he never stopped working. As usual. When Sunderland had us penned in he coolly nicked the ball and mounted an attack from nothing. What a player.
22 – There were 22 passes before Sanchez's goal v Sunderland, the most before a goal in the Premier League this season. Move. pic.twitter.com/u30eP4fYUU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 29, 2016
SUBS
Aaron Ramsey – 7
Great to see the midfielder back after such a long layoff.
Olivier Giroud – 10
The big guy may have only come on in the 70th minute but boy did he make an impact. Two goals in minutes. Therefore, he deserves no less than full marks.
Olivier Giroud vs. Sunderland:
7 games
7 goals
2 assistsBrilliant record. pic.twitter.com/Q7IHxauqLJ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 29, 2016