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Sunderland
Premier League
Oct 25, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Sanchez (30', 90')

Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

Sports Mole rates the player in the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal claimed their first victory in four Premier League games by beating Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Alexis Sanchez scored both goals for the Gunners, following two defensive mistakes from the hosts.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during an engaging 90 minutes.


Sunderlands Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet reacts during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England, on October 25, 2014© Getty Images

SUNDERLAND

Goal

Vito Mannone: Was not called upon to make too many saves, but looked nervous at the back all afternoon. He spilled an early cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain and in stoppage time his poor attempt at a clearance allowed Sanchez to score his second. (5/10)

Defence

Patrick Van Aanholt: Had a decent game on the left and was rarely caught out of position. In the second half he was one of his side's best threats going forward and was unlucky to see a powerful run into the box well cut out. (6/10)

Wes Brown: His awful back-pass on the half-hour mark allowed Sanchez to run through and score Arsenal's first. He never looked confident in possession and struggled against a team with so much pace in attack. (4/10)

John O'Shea: Had a much better afternoon than his defensive partner. Won a number of aerial duels and made some important last-ditch tackles to stop the Gunners from breaking through. (6/10)

Santiago Vergini: Was mainly forced back as the Gunners kept possession well inside his team's half. Got forward more as the game wore on, but did not have too much of an impact. (6/10)

Midfield

Lee Cattermole: Always looked to make a challenge, but was overrun by the Arsenal midfield. Was booked for a poor hack at Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half. (6/10)

Sebastian Larsson: Struggled to get into the match and posed little threat in attack. He could not make his usual influence from set plays and was booked in the first half. (5/10)

Jack Rodwell: Along with his teammates, he found himself overrun in the midfield. Did not have much of an impact on the match and could even have been sent off in the first half for a tough challenge on Chambers. (5/10)

Adam Johnson: Very quiet afternoon for the winger. Had very little opportunities to take on the visitors' defence and was replaced by Altidore in the second half. (6/10)

William Buckley: Another Sunderland player who struggled to impose himself on the match. He was at fault for the second goal too, as his poor back-pass left Mannone in trouble. (5/10)

Attack

Steve Fletcher: Starved of any service from his teammates as his side struggled to work a shot on target in the first half. He appeared to be struggling with an injury and was replaced by Wickham five minutes after the break. (6/10)

Substitutes

Connor Wickham: Came on for Fletcher just after half time and looked one of his side's most dangerous players. His direct runs gave Arsenal some problems as the game wore on, but ultimately he could not inspire a fightback. (6/10)

Jordi Gomez: Was brought on for Rodwell but made no impact on the game. (6/10)

Jozy Altidore: Replaced Johnson late in the second half, but was not given any chances to test his luck on goal. (6/10)


Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal outpaces Wes Brown of Sunderland to score the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on October 25, 2014 © Getty Images

ARSENAL

Goal

Wojciech Szczesny: Solid performance from the Pole, who did not have too much to deal with. He was only faced with three shots on target and dominated his area well. (7/10)

Defence

Kieran Gibbs: Provided support for his teammates going forward and never looked like being beaten at the back. Had to go off in the second half for what appeared to be an injury. (6/10)

Per Mertesacker: Solid afternoon's work for the German. Was not troubled too much and easily dealt with the attacking threat provided by the hosts. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: The Spaniard has been forced to cover at centre back for the injured Koscielny and was solid today. He made some telling challenges and never looked like being beaten in the air. (7/10)

Calum Chambers: Another decent performance from the young full-back, who has easily slotted into this Arsenal side. He got forward well and was denied by Mannone after breaking through in the first half. (7/10)

Midfield

Mikel Arteta: Dependable showing from the Arsenal captain. Did not do anything spectacular and kept things ticking over on his return to the side. (6/10)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: The England international produced a positive display and always looked a threat going forward. He was full of energy and the hosts could not deal with his pace and power. (7/10)

Mathieu Flamini: Tough tackling and no-nonsense display as ever from the Frenchman. Helped Arsenal to dominate the midfield and always used the ball well. (7/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: Was the best player on the pitch. Took advantage of two defensive mistakes to score both of Arsenal's goals. Always looked dangerous on the ball and made things happen all afternoon. (8/10)

Santi Cazorla: Decent performance from the Spaniard, without ever really showing his best form. Had a couple of efforts on goal and looked a threat going forward. (6/10)

Danny Welbeck: Quiet afternoon for the striker. Curled a decent effort over in the first half and was harshly booked for diving in the second. His link up play with Sanchez was good, but he lacked a clinical finishing touch. (6/10)

Substitutes

Hector Bellerin: Was brought on for Gibbs in the second half and slotted in well at right-back. (6/10)

Aaron Ramsey: Came on for the last two minutes and helped the Gunners to hold on to the win. (6/10)

Tomas Rosicky: Was only on the pitch for stoppage time and could not make any impact. (6/10)


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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on September 27, 2014
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