Arsenal’s fine form continued at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, with the Gunners putting four past struggling Sunderland.
Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez was the star of the show for the visitors, bagging a brace which including a superb team goal which saw 22 passes in the build-up, the most of any top-flight goal this season.
The opening goal of the came came on 19 minutes, with the 22-pass move starting with a throw-in from Kieran Gibbs deep in his own half.
From then on, the Gunners prodded and teased the Black Cats before Sanchez eventually headed home after a superb cross from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…
There were 22 passes in the lead up to Sanchez’s goal, the most in the Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/9FktXAjSUM
— HARSH (@ArsenalPoper) October 29, 2016
Here’s the graphic, via Opta for the superb effort…
22 – There were 22 passes before Sanchez’s goal v Sunderland, the most before a goal in the Premier League this season. Move. pic.twitter.com/u30eP4fYUU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 29, 2016
Despite dominating the game, Arsenal would find themselves pegged back courtesy of a Jermain Defore penalty on 65 minutes. However, a brace from sub Olivier Giroud and then another from Sanchez secured a deserved and convincing win for Arsene Wenger’s side.
While Arsenal stay level on points with league-leaders Manchester City, David Moyes’ struggling Sunderland remain rock bottom, having made the worst start ever to a Premier League season (after 10 games) of any team.
The future is looking anything but bright at the Stadium of Light.