Sunderland errors gift Arsenal 2-0 win

Sunderland were unable to exorcise their embarrassment at Southampton as Arsenal won at the Stadium of Light.

Alexis Sanchez capitalised on Wes Brown’s dreadful passback to clip Arsenal ahead after half an hour.

And, despite performing with more resolve than in their 8-0 defeat at St Mary’s last Saturday, Sunderland lost another bad goal in stoppage time.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone dawdled with the ball at his feet, allowing Sanchez to steal in and secure the win.

The late goal ensured that Arsenal would win this fixture for the fourth consecutive season but Arsene Wenger’s side were far from convincing.

The visitors, who had to win to avoid recording their lowest points total after nine games in the Wenger era, offered a performance as uninspiring as the one that earned them a late win over Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Chances were scarce, with the goals the consequence of two grotesque Sunderland mistakes.

Brown and Mannone both retained their places, along with the rest of the back four who capitulated last Saturday, but neither could take the opportunity to redeem themselves.

Centre-back Brown was spared some of the criticism this week, given that the score was just 3-0 when he was withdrawn at Southampton, but it was his horrible error that gifted Arsenal the opening goal.

The former England defender brought down a long ball at the edge of the centre circle and, under pressure from Sanchez, tried to shunt it back towards Mannone.

However, Brown instead scraped his studs across the top of the ball, allowing the Chilean to scamper towards goal before clipping over the exposed goalkeeper.

Mannone, though, was completely culpable when Sanchez scored his second.

Santiago Vergini shunted a loose ball towards the Italian, who took a decent touch before getting his feet into a frightful tangle. The ball spurted away from him and former Barcelona forward Sanchez pounced.

Without those mistakes, Arsenal struggled to create openings; Danny Welbeck lashed over, Santi Cazorla fizzed an effort just wide and Mannone thwarted Calum Chambers from a narrow angle.

Instead, Sunderland grew gradually more emboldened and, as the second half progressed, enjoyed the better opportunities.

Wojciech Szczesny had to plunge to his left to grasp a Jack Rodwell header and then had to pluck a Sebastian Larsson shot from the air.

But, for all their huffing and puffing, Sunderland were unable to prevent a difficult week ending with the loss of their unbeaten home record.

Poyet opted to make just two changes to the Sunderland side that lost 8-0 to Southampton

Wes Brown’s mistake gifted Alexis Sanchez the chance to put Arsenal ahead

Sanchez’s goals ensured Arsenal extended their unbeaten league run against Sunderland to 10 matches

Mannone made 23 appearances for Arsenal between 2005 and 2013

Theo Walcott returned to the Arsenal bench after nine months out with a knee injury

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Source: BBC Sport

Sunderland were unable to exorcise their embarrassment at Southampton as Arsenal won at the Stadium of Light.

Alexis Sanchez capitalised on Wes Brown’s dreadful passback to clip Arsenal ahead after half an hour.

And, despite performing with more resolve than in their 8-0 defeat at St Mary’s last Saturday, Sunderland lost another bad goal in stoppage time.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone dawdled with the ball at his feet, allowing Sanchez to steal in and secure the win.

The late goal ensured that Arsenal would win this fixture for the fourth consecutive season but Arsene Wenger’s side were far from convincing.

The visitors, who had to win to avoid recording their lowest points total after nine games in the Wenger era, offered a performance as uninspiring as the one that earned them a late win over Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Chances were scarce, with the goals the consequence of two grotesque Sunderland mistakes.

Brown and Mannone both retained their places, along with the rest of the back four who capitulated last Saturday, but neither could take the opportunity to redeem themselves.

Centre-back Brown was spared some of the criticism this week, given that the score was just 3-0 when he was withdrawn at Southampton, but it was his horrible error that gifted Arsenal the opening goal.

The former England defender brought down a long ball at the edge of the centre circle and, under pressure from Sanchez, tried to shunt it back towards Mannone.

However, Brown instead scraped his studs across the top of the ball, allowing the Chilean to scamper towards goal before clipping over the exposed goalkeeper.

Mannone, though, was completely culpable when Sanchez scored his second.

Santiago Vergini shunted a loose ball towards the Italian, who took a decent touch before getting his feet into a frightful tangle. The ball spurted away from him and former Barcelona forward Sanchez pounced.

Without those mistakes, Arsenal struggled to create openings; Danny Welbeck lashed over, Santi Cazorla fizzed an effort just wide and Mannone thwarted Calum Chambers from a narrow angle.

Instead, Sunderland grew gradually more emboldened and, as the second half progressed, enjoyed the better opportunities.

Wojciech Szczesny had to plunge to his left to grasp a Jack Rodwell header and then had to pluck a Sebastian Larsson shot from the air.

But, for all their huffing and puffing, Sunderland were unable to prevent a difficult week ending with the loss of their unbeaten home record.

Poyet opted to make just two changes to the Sunderland side that lost 8-0 to Southampton

Wes Brown’s mistake gifted Alexis Sanchez the chance to put Arsenal ahead

Sanchez’s goals ensured Arsenal extended their unbeaten league run against Sunderland to 10 matches

Mannone made 23 appearances for Arsenal between 2005 and 2013

Theo Walcott returned to the Arsenal bench after nine months out with a knee injury

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Source: BBC Sport