Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland: Van Persie makes the difference

The Netherlands striker, who used his programme notes to declare his full commitment to Arsenal, put the hosts ahead after just 29 seconds but the sides went in level at half-time thanks to an excellent free-kick from former Gunner Sebastian Larsson.

The game appeared destined for a draw as Arsenal proceeded to squander several good second-half chances, but Van Persie saved the Londoners’ blushes with a wonderful curling free-kick nine minutes from time. The win gave Arsenal the perfect tonic after their north London derby defeat two weeks ago, but the creaky manner in which they sneaked past struggling Sunderland will do little to silence the doubters who claim the Gunners are a spent force.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce, meanwhile, will rue his side’s failure to convert a number of first-half opportunities and they now sit outside the drop zone only on goal difference.

Some Arsenal fans had still not taken their seats by the time that Gervinho got on the end of Tomas Rosicky’s lobbed pass and squared to Van Persie, who took one touch before drilling low past Simon Mignolet from 18 yards to record the fastest top-flight goal of the season so far.

Van Persie was then denied an early contender for goal of the season by the woodwork. With 13 minutes on the clock, the Dutchman spun his marker on the edge of the box and clipped a delightful chip that bounced out off the post.

Mikel Arteta’s handball gave the Black Cats a free-kick 20 yards out and Larsson whipped a delightful curling shot over the wall and past a sprawling Szczesny to make it 1-1. The winner arrived when We Brown’s clumsy challenge on Van Persie gave Arsenal another free-kick on the edge of the box with nine minutes left and Van Persie curled a brilliant setpiece into the top corner.