Sunderland review: Ramsey the savior

Evening everyone.
Yesterday Arsenal has continued their streak of four wins and six straight away wins in the league by adding another success. This is also the first win over Sunderland since 2005-2006 in which we've finished the game leading by more goals than one. This fact, though, shouldn't fool you into thinking it was an easy game. Those of you, who've seen it, will agree that, had the cards fallen the other way, we could have easily lost that one. As it stands, however, we now sit top of the league.
The fans didn't have much to cheer about before kick-off. In addition to Mertesacker, who's gone down with a cold, we've lost Santi Cazorla to an ankle injury. It was later stated by the manager, that the Spaniard will be out until the next international break (which will take place at the beginning of October), meaning Santi will miss five more games. Not a pretty picture, given our dearth of options on the flanks, but there's not much we can do about it. Bottom line, Santi deserves this rest, even it comes at such a price. He's been omnipresent in our squad for forty straight league games and God knows how many cup games, friendlies, internationals and what-nots. The speediest of recoveries to him.
Cazorla`s (and Rosicky`s) absence made way for Ozil to start the game but no complaints here. The German international started under the striker, with Whilshere covering the left flank.
It took Ozil only ten minutes to adapt to English football. In the eleventh minute he laid the ball off for Giroud, after controlling a tricky high ball and the Frenchman slotted home with his left. Fourth league goal in just as many games.
Before that, Sunderland had a couple of chances, even hit the bar from a corner, but after the goal it was all Arsenal for the remainder of the half. Ozil was the creative hub, moving all over the pitch finding space and opening up for passes. He exploited Walcott`s pace time and again, cutting Sunderland`s defence open to create opportunities for Walcott to take advantage of. The Englishman`s finishing left a great deal to be desired, though (again). He spurned two chances by shooting straight at the keeper, before missing from a couple of yards with a headed effort. Because of this complacency we were only 1-0 up before half-time and it proved costly.
Sunderland players have apparently got a kick up the arse from Di Canio during the break and came back much more focused. This resulted in Koscielny`s foul in the box, following a corner and the ref pointed to the spot. Whether it was a dive, I cannot tell, but Koscielny really should have done better anyway. It was a stupid foul to commit and the resulting penalty was sent home as a harsh lesson.
Sunderland continued to pile on the pressure, but it was Arsenal, who scored, basically creating this goal out of nothing. Jenks sent the cross in from the right and Ramsey smashed the ball home on the volley. A brilliant finish from the Welshman, who clearly is in top form and is ripping all the benefits from it.
The home side didn't give in and created some moments of true danger, which saw them hit the post, and had two goals disallowed (the first was scored from an offside position, the second was preceded by a foul).
Their efforts were in vain, as it was Arsenal who put the finishing touches on. This time an Ozil pass found Giroud, whose sublime flick saw Ramsey get one-on-one with the keeper, and Aaron made no mistake.
The game was essentially over after that, those Sunderland probed till the final whistle for a second goal. The real moment of scare came when Giroud limped off in the dying minutes, nursing his knee, but he later said on Twitter, that he's all right.
This win catapults us to the top, and only Liverpool can overthrow us, should they take any points on Monday night. Our next game will be played on Wednesday in the Champions League. We'll have a chance to discuss our options as the week progresses.
Until later