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Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal.
making amends

Giroud scores at both ends as Gunners get back on track

Ramsey and Campbell also on target for Arsenal who claim maximum points against Sunderland.

OLIVIER GIROUD SCORED at both ends while Aaron Ramsey was also on target as Arsenal picked up a 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium today.

Arsene Wenger saw his side labour at times en route to a first win in four Premier League matches – the Arsenal boss having faced difficult questions this week after Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla joined a lengthy injury list in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Norwich City.

Joel Campbell and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were handed starting spots and it was the former who opened the scoring 33 minutes in when he converted Mesut Ozil’s delightful pass from inside the area only for Giroud to score at the wrong end before half-time.

Wenger’s men were given a stern test by a Sunderland side now resolute and organised under Sam Allardyce but the visitors were denied a point as Giroud atoned for his earlier error.

Giroud glanced Ramsey’s delivery past Costel Pantilimon before the Welshman made sure of maximum points late on for Arsenal who move second in the table after Manchester City and Manchester United failed to win.

Allardyce remains winless against Arsenal since May 2010 but saw Sunderland turn in another display that suggests they stand every chance of retaining their Premier League status.

While Wenger was forced into two changes, Allardyce introduced Fabio Borini, Ola Toivonen and Duncan Watmore into his starting XI for the injured trio of Jermain Defoe, Seb Larsson and Lee Cattermole.

Ozil – who boasted 11 assists in his 12 previous league games prior to Saturday – cut the Sunderland defence open with his side’s first moment of real quality.

The German produced a beautifully-weighted pass for Campbell to slot under Pantilimon, although Sunderland deservedly drew level before half-time.

Shortly after Giroud saw a penalty appeal waved away after he tangled with Younes Kaboul, the France striker diverted Yann M’Vila’s inswinging free-kick past Cech, following a Laurent Koscielny foul on Watmore.

Ozil dragged an effort wide before Giroud found the target at the right end with a well-taken header from inside the box 27 minutes from time.

Theo Walcott made his return from injury off the bench after more than five weeks out before Ramsey wrapped it up when prodding home from inside the six-yard box.

It’s an important win for Arsene Wenger’s men ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League trip to Olympiacos.

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