Arsenal

3.14

• 
  86

  9

  3.00

  Wojciech Szczesny

  Sublime and ridiculous. From the point-blank save to deny Cattermole, to the irrational decision making that almost let Sessegnon in, he really kept the Emirates crowd guessing though was rarely tested at all.

• 
  59

  25

  3.50

  Carl Jenkinson

  It was always going to take time but he’s settling into his role at Arsenal pretty well. Full of running, regularly hitting the byline and largely unthreatened defensively all afternoon.

• 
  70

  9

  3.50

  Laurent Koscielny

  With the opposition limited in sustained goal threat he was afforded a reasonably quiet afternoon. Play on the ball was markedly improved from weeks gone by.

• 
  59

  17

  3.00

  Per Mertesacker

  Won everything in the air, though his game was made pretty relaxed by Sunderland's reluctance to commit men forward.

• 
  37

  14

  3.00

  Kieran Gibbs

  Most of Sunderland’s attacking endeavor came down the opposite flank and though he had a sturdy game, much of his afternoon was dictated by Elmohamady’s chronic quietness. Was withdrawn early on in the second half.

• 
  61

  17

  3.00

  Alex Song

  Was the enforcer in the middle of the park and the game's dominant physical presence but distribution was all too often found lacking.

• 
  41

  44

  2.50

  Mikel Arteta

  Sprayed the ball around in the manner you’ve come to expect of him but had little authority in the game’s proceedings. Though combative, Sunderland’s midfield hardly dictated terms and he was peculiarly anonymous throughout.

• 
  119

  3

  3.50

  Tomas Rosicky

  Came in and performed pretty well. Neat and tidy on the ball and always looking to break beyond Sunderland’s midfield three. An enterprising game.

• 
  41

  43

  3.00

  Theo Walcott

  Was quiet throughout, which is a shame because Sunderland were there to be got at all afternoon. Definitely an afternoon to forget.

• 
  151

  5

  4.00

  Robin van Persie Top of the Match

  Emphatic strike in the first minute gave his side the dream start and was unlucky to see a sublime effort drop against the post, before his free kick settled affairs. Yet again the match winner and outstanding performer for his side.

• 
  51

  24

  3.00

  Gervinho

  Was occasionally menacing which, against a defender with the experience of John O’Shea, isn't too bad an achievement. The only issue with his game is the disappointing absence of a consistent end product.

Substitutions

• 
  57

  10

  3.00

  Andre Santos

  Replaced Gibbs early on in the second half and was never troubled defensively by the visitors. Stepped up to attack when called upon but seemed very content to stay tucked well behind the halfway line.

• 
  81

  7

  3.00

  Andrey Arshavin

  Majestic quick feet and poked effort on goal was reminiscent of the old Arshavin. Flashes of inspiration helped breathe life into an Arsenal who seemed short on ideas.

• 
  47

  12

  3.00

  Yossi Benayoun

  Introduced late on and had little effect on the game.

Sunderland

3.08

• 
  7

  11

  3.00

  Simon Mignolet

  Van Persie’s early testers aside, the keeper had a pretty uneventful first half. Had few saves to make all game which is surprising given the fact that Arsenal were constantly on the front foot.

• 
  13

  7

  3.50

  John O'Shea

  Twisted up early doors a few times by Gervinho but settled into the game very well and was a key figure in Sunderland's robust defensive performance.

• 
  11

  6

  3.50

  Michael Turner

  Defended stoically as Arsenal pressed the entire time for a winner. Van Persie's decreasing influence could definitely be attributed to an authoritative display from the center half.

• 
  12

  7

  3.50

  Wes Brown

  Was given the runaround after Arsenal bursts out of the blocks yet he quickly negated any threat from the home side. An assured afternoon and was unlucky ti see his side come away with a loss.

• 
  4

  10

  3.00

  Kieran Richardson

  Managed to subdue a Theo Walcott who is in a rich vein of form. Found himself pegged back all game, meaning that forays into Arsenal's half were few and far between.

• 
  3

  9

  2.50

  Ahmed El Mohamady

  Didn’t really show up and did little to trouble Gibbs all afternoon.The second half was spent almost exclusively in his own half.

• 
  8

  11

  2.50

  David Vaughan Flop of the Match

  Could do little to compel perpetual waves of Arsenal attack and found himself over-ran and outplayed in the middle of the park.

• 
  2

  10

  3.00

  Jack Colback

  Had a prime opportunity to get his team ahead moments before the interval but volleyed Larsson’s nod down over the bar. Otherwise made very few forays into the final third.

• 
  3

  11

  3.00

  Lee Cattermole

  With his side haven suddenly grasped the impetus after Larsson’s equaliser he had a prime opportunity to put his side ahead. His header from inside the six yard box drew an amazing save from Szcznesy but he really should have put his side ahead. Found it very difficult to cancel out Arsenal's constant attacking menace.

• 
  21

  6

  3.50

  Sebastian Larsson

  Unbelievably well struck free kick came at a massive time for the visitors, particularly given the fact that their goal threat was zero before that point. Was his team's only potent force going forward.

• 
  10

  4

  3.00

  Stéphane Sessegnon

  Must have been glad once replaced, if only for the prospect of human proximity. Isolated for large chunks of the afternoon after Steve Bruce’s bizarre decision to not field a striker against one of the Premier League’s most notoriously shaky rearguards. Put in a solid shift though and made Arsenal’s life difficult.

Substitutions

• 
  7

  6

  3.00

  Connor Wickham

  Came as Sunderland looked to negate Arsenal's forward momentum. Had scant opportunity to stamp any authority on the game though.

• 
  10

  6

  3.00

  Dong-Won Ji

  His appearance was more or less redundant as Arsenal had complete control of the second half.