Alexis, Giroud ‘brace’ their ways to compound Sunderland’s woes

Alexis Sanchez and substitute Olivier Giroud scored twice each to continue on their fine run to beat Sunderland 4-1 at the stadium of light on Saturday.

In the 20th minute, Oxlade-Chamberlain beat Watmore with ease on the right and crossed over towards the center of the six-yard line, Alexis Sanchez rushed in and headed the ball into the corner of the net to put Arsenal ahead.

Alex Iwobi played a one-two with Kieran Gibbs, shuffled infield before the latter curled an effort which went over Pickford’s goal in the 27th minute.

Mesut Ozil got in on goal in the 38th minute but his lobbed slightly meek effort just about saved by retreating Pickford who already left his line.

Ozil’s dinked cross drifted just wide of the far post in the 45th minute before the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of half time. 1-0 it was at half time.

Petr Cech went into the book for bringing down Duncan Watmore and Sunderland were awarded a penalty which Defoe converted from the spot in the 65th minute to square up the scoreline to 1-1.

Alexis Sanchez played the ball down the left to Gibbs in the 71st minute whose flat cross was volleyed deftly into the far corner by Giroud. It was Arsenal 2, Sunderland 1.

Barely five minutes after the Giroud instant impact as he came on, Mesut Ozil swung the corner to the near post, where Giroud got a run on Djilobodji and lobbed a very good backheader over Pickford and into the net.

Alexis Sanchez poked home from close range to extend Arsenal lead to four in the 78th minute.

Arsenal next game will be played at home to Tottenham Hotspur.