van Persie leads Arsenal to Sunderland win

Robin van Persie scored twice to guide Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Sunderland. But it wasn't all fun and games for the Gunners, as van Persie left it late from a sublime free kick to score the winner. Former Gunner Seb Larsson had leveled the scores just before half time.

The score may have finished only 2-1, but the game had plenty of action and Sunderland took it to Arsenal from the start.

However, Robin van Persie opened the scoring after only 29 seconds, as he picked up a Gervinho through pass and smashed the ball home to put the Gunners in front.

Arsenal then nearly doubled their lead in the 11th minute, as the masterful van Persie chipped the ball against the post leaving Mignolet in the Sunderland goal stranded. It should have been two, and the Gunners knew it.

Sessegnon caused huge problems for the Gunners all afternoon, and in the 27th minute the Frenchman very nearly scored but good goalkeeping from Szczesny kept Arsenal in front.

But, Arsenal could not keep their lead through to the second half as former Arsenal midfielder Seb Larsson curved a ball past Szczesny into the top right corner. Simply beautiful. Larsson didn't celebrate the goal, seemingly as a sign of respect for his former club.

The dangerous Sessegnon then very nearly got Sunderland in front, as he crossed for the unmarked Cattermole, who flung himself at the ball but Arsenal's keeper had to be at his best to stop the ball. The Polish shot stopper really is proving to be a wonderful goalkeeper.

Arsenal looked completely lost in the second half. Arteta failed to inspire from the centre and Kieron Gibbs had to be substituted after another very poor game. Even more worrying was the lack of influence from Alex Song in the middle of the park, who found himself chasing the ball for most of the opening fifteen minutes of the second half.

Sunderland, on the other hand, looked dynamic and ready to challenge and Arsenal's high defensive line looked under threat far too often. Many will wonder if Wenger's tactics are just not suitable anymore.

Arsenal were dire in the second half, as Theo Walcott and Mikel Arteta blazed over crucial free kick chances.

Arsenal would require their captain to ensure the three points would be theirs.

The Dutchman curled the ball over the wall into the top right corner to send the relatively quiet Emirates into raptures.

Sunderland had a goal disallowed for off side, and the points were Arsenal's.

Worrying times, but an important three points. Arsenal move up to 10th, whilst Sunderland are 17th. Steve Bruce is under pressure, and Arsene Wenger seemingly is still concerned with his team's performance too.

Teams

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Gervinho.

Subs: Fabianski, Park, Andre Santos, Djourou, Arshavin, Frimpong, Benayoun.

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Turner, Brown, Richardson, Elmohamady, Vaughan, Colback, Cattermole, Larsson, Sessegnon.

Subs: Westwood, Gardner, Wickham, Ji, Meyler, McClean, Laing.