Arsenal put a miserable November behind them by beating Sunderland 3-1 at the Emirates this afternoon to move second in the Premier League table.

On 33 minutes, Joel Campbell laid the foundations for this much-needed win by slotting home the opener, but a farcical own goal from Olivier Giroud on the stroke of half time saw the visitors deservedly secure parity at the break.

Nevertheless, Giroud made amends by heading home the Gunners' second just after the hour mark, before the excellent Aaron Ramsey killed off the Black Cats once and for all late on.

Here, Sports Mole reviews how Arsene Wenger's men rode their luck somewhat to beat an impressive, if wasteful Sunderland side.

Match statistics

ARSENAL
Shots: 15
On target: 7
Possession: 73%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 7

SUNDERLAND
Shots: 11
On target: 4
Possession: 27%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 11

Was the result fair?

The result? Just about, but the scoreline flattered Arsenal on a day when they limped over the finish line. If not for Sunderland's profligacy at key moments, the visitors would be returning to the North East with a point. Fabio Borini and Patrick van Aanholt both spurned glorious chances at the beginning and end of the contest, and manager Sam Allardyce will be thinking about both opportunities for much of the five-hour trip home.

Arsenal's performance

With five Premier League games and a massive Champions League clash to come in December, manager Wenger was under no illusions over how important this month is for Arsenal's season. The injury-hit Gunners lost players and points at a rate of knots in November, but this win should restore whatever belief was lost in their abject showings of recent weeks.

There were cracks - and Borini exposed a major one early on but his one-on-one was kept out by Petr Cech - but Arsenal did a lot right too. It was a frustrating first half-an-hour or so for the hosts, whose fans were given very little cheer and, as a result, made very little noise. But Mesut Ozil, who did not look at the races, split Sunderland's defence with a superb ball and Campbell finished confidently past Costel Pantilimon. To celebrate, Campbell whipped a pacifier out, but holding their lead proved anything but child's play.

Suddenly, the Gunners' defence was being asked plenty of questions, with right-back Hector Bellerin growing increasingly shaky against the impressive Duncan Watmore. The 21-year-old was fouled by the Spaniard on the stroke of half time, with Giroud prodding the subsequent delivery into his own net. Sunderland deserved it.

After the break, Cech was called into action on two occasions as the Black Cats grew in control, but just like before, Arsenal moved ahead without any warning. Ramsey, brilliant in central midfield, lofted a wonderful ball over the defence for Giroud, who simply nodded past Pantilimon from close range to make amends for his silly own goal.

Wenger replaced the anonymous Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with fit-again Theo Walcott immediately after and the Gunners initially looked blood thirsty. They looked a side determined to kill off Sunderland once and for all, though they had to wait until the final minutes when Ramsey bundled home a third goal. It was a sloppy goal to match a sloppy performance, but coming off the back of a winless November, they will not care.

Sunderland's performance

Sunderland have gone from strength to strength under Allardyce since Dick Advocaat's dismissal earlier in the season. With back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace and Stoke City, the Black Cats also rode the crest of a wave into this afternoon's encounter and, despite the defeat, Allardyce can console himself with the fact that there were lots of positives for his side.

They could and certainly should have went ahead inside the opening minutes, with youngster Watmore playing in Borini - deputising for the injured Jermain Defoe - but the Italian failed to beat Cech in a one-on-one. Had it been Defoe, it's 1-0 and Allardyce will be mindful over his need for more than one proven goalscorer in January. If Sunderland are to survive, chances like that must be taken.

Even after falling behind shortly after the half-hour mark, heads did not drop. Instead, Watmore continued to trouble Bellerin down the left-hand side and that perseverance was ultimately rewarded. Yann M'Vila fizzed in a wonderful free kick and Giroud sliced it into the roof of his own net. It was nothing less than Sunderland deserved, but they wanted more.

Their intentions were obvious from early on in the second half. They were here for the win and striker Steven Fletcher did his best to put an anonymous first-half showing behind him. First, the Scot's fizzing long-range effort was tipped wide by Cech, before Fletcher was denied by the Arsenal stopper in a back-post chance from the subsequent corner.

At 2-1 down, Allardyce was left cursing Van Aanholt in the closing minutes when the left-winger fired a gilt-edged chance over the bar from close range. It was a costly miss and Ramsey finished things off a minute later. The misses from Borini and Van Aanholt were horrendous, but the fact that they made chances will encourage the Sunderland boss.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Aaron Ramsey: The Welshman has spent the majority of this season on the wing and, in truth, has looked a shadow of his former self at the best of times. This afternoon, he lined up in his preferred central midfield role and looked so much more influential and confident.

Whether it was moments of sheer brilliance or audacious overhead attempts, Ramsey had the confidence to try execute it and his wonderful lofted assist led to Giroud's second. His goal late on to clinch the points was sloppy, but he will not care. It was a cherry on top of a wonderful performance and, with Santi Cazorla out for three months, Arsenal fans will be far less concerned after being reminded of Ramsey's qualities in that role.

Biggest gaffe

Giroud's own goal initially looked like an innocent case of simple bad luck, but it was preventable. The Frenchman tried to clear M'Vila's delivery with his stronger left foot when it was easier to do so with his right, before slicing into the top corner of his own net. It was a silly error which gives Giroud a big reason to work on his right foot in training next week.

Referee performance

Robert Madley had an excellent game, only brandishing the yellow card on two occasions - both of which looked the correct call.

What's next?

Arsenal: The Gunners are back on Wednesday when they visit Olympiacos in Athens needing a two-goal win to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Sunderland: Allardyce and co host Watford at the Stadium of Light next Saturday.