Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League table after 3-1 win over relegation threatened Sunderland.
Olivier Giroud made the headlines after scoring at both ends. The Frenchman netted an own goal just before half time to cancel out Joel Campbell's openener.
But he nodded in at the right end in the second half as the Gunners ran out 3-1 winners over the BlackCats. Aaron Ramsey added an injury time third.
It was a far from assured performance from Arsene Wenger's injury-ravaged side but they'll take it.
Here's what Mirror Football's John Cross learned from the Emirates...
Aaron Ramsey in the middle
Having complained he wants to play down the middle rather than on the right, Ramsey got his chance because of injuries.
And, quite frankly, showed why he’s been stuck out on the right. Was wasteful, gave the ball away in bad areas and missed an absolute sitter just before the break.
Ramsey really needs to up his game before issuing any more demands. He was awful.
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Confidence is everything
Arsenal’s season is on a knife edge. They’ve been on a bad run, have looked flat and are definitely jaded.
They’ve also got injuries, but go through the Arsenal team. Yes, they’ve got injuries. But the starting XI was decent. Very offensive, but decent.
They were sluggish and rather lethargic at times had quite a few things missing but the biggest was confidence.
Arsenal must have looked at West Brom, Norwich, Sunderland and Aston Villa and thought they were four games they should win to strengthen their title hopes.
It’s been a struggle and they were hardly convincing against Sunderland. But the lift that Giroud’s goal gave them was huge. Get some belief back and Arsenal can yet have a decent title push…
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Joel Campbell needs a new goal celebration
Campbell whipped a dummy out of his shorts to celebrate his 34th minute opener.
He did something similar when he scored at Swansea a few weeks back.
When does this end? When the baby is out of nappies? Or still uses a dummy?
It’s going to be hard to get a toddler’s push-a-long truck down the shorts…
At least he scored at the right end. Unlike Olivier Giroud…
Duncan Watmore has a big future
He is raw, he does run down blind alleys at times but his pace, enthusiasm and threat make him an outstanding prospect.
Watmore has really inspired Sunderland, given them a lift and could be their good news story of the season.
While Sam Allardyce battens down the hatches, Watmore is the outlet and looks a very exciting one at that.
Yann M’Vila is a class act
Arsenal would have signed him but for his off-the-field reputation and bad boy image.
At the Emirates, the French midfielder showed that he’s still a class act - even if some of his off-the-field lack class.
With M’Vila in the midfield, Big Sam making the defence harder to break down, Sunderland can - and probably will - stay up.
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