The Black Cats were much improved on recent away day displays but paid the price for a couple of momentary lapses. Martin Zubimendi put the hosts ahead before Gyokeres' second half double.
Here's how the game played out:
FIRST HALF BLOW
It took just 23 seconds for Arsenal to create their first big opportunity but 33 minutes for the home side to test Robin Roefs with a shot on target. And that was a tame Leandro Trossard shot comfortably gathered by Sunderland’s keeper.
Kai Havertz should have done better with his free header from six yards out with just seconds on the clock but from that moment onwards Sunderland limited and frustrated Arsenal in an excellent first half showing. The closest Arsenal came was a Declan Rice effort from distance that whistled just wide of Roefs’ left post.
Indeed, the best chance of the opening 40 minutes fell Sunderland’s way after David Raya had made a mess of a Trai Hume free-kick under pressure from Dan Ballard, and the loose ball fell at the feet of Brian Brobbey, only for Havertz to make amends for his early miss and come to Arsenal’s rescue with a goal-saving block.
Sunderland were fast approaching the break still level but all it takes is a momentary lapse against a side of such quality. Omar Alderete gave the ball away and the Black Cats were just a yard too slow to close down Zubimendi on the edge of the box, a low strike lashed in off Roefs’ right post.
Sunderland emotion very quickly switched from disappointment to relief. Almost immediately from the restart the Black Cats lost possession and Gabriel Jesus was played in. The striker rounded Roefs but was fouled by Ballard, referee Sam Barott pointing to the penalty spot but the assistant raising his flag. Jesus was offside. Just. Havertz then curled wide. Just. Sunderland were still in it.
THE KILLER SECOND
Sunderland’s first half performance drew praise from an unlikely source.
“It hasn’t been comfortable at all for Arsenal,” said Alan Shearer on the BBC.
“Sunderland have been impressive and actually had more possession in the first half. Brian Brobbey was a real handful yet again.”
Conceding late on in the first half was a setback for the Black Cats but they dusted themselves down and started the second half on top. Chemsdine Talbi forced a good save from Raya, Brobbey continued to make a nuisance of himself and Roefs had nothing to do. If the game had reached its closing stages with Arsenal’s advantage still just a single goal, the home side would have undoubtedly had to deal with anxiety in the stands. But it didn’t come to that.
Viktor Gyokeres was introduced on the hour mark and gave Arsenal breathing space just six minutes later. It was, like the first, avoidable and that will frustrate Le Bris given his side were otherwise excellent defensively. This time it was Nordi Mukiele who complicated matters at the back before cheaply conceding possession with a weak clearance. Arsenal and Gyokeres took full advantage. Gyokeres scored a third deep in stoppage time. The scoreline was harsh on Sunderland, who have played worse than this in games this season and won.
AWAY RECORD
This was a significant improvement on the displays at West Ham and Brentford, Sunderland’s poorest two performances of the season, but it’s now no wins on eight away from home for the Black Cats, who have picked up just three points from the last 24 available on their travels. And they’ve only scored three goals in that time.
Losing at Arsenal won’t define a season and Le Bris won’t have to dig too deep in search of positives from the display at the Emirates. Qualifying for Europe is achievable this season. But to do so, Sunderland will have to find some more points on the road between now and the end of the campaign.
SPECIAL GUEST
Niall Quinn was a special guest at the Emirates on Saturday and welcomed onto the pitch before kick-off after returning to the club where he started his career.
But it’s Sunderland who Quinn is most closely associated with and he told of his delight at seeing the Black Cats back on the biggest of stages. Quinn hailed Sunderland bosses for the superb job they’ve done in guiding the Black Cats back into the Premier League. Despite the result, he’ll have taken pride in watching a fine and spirited showing from the Wearsiders in the capital.