The Gunners were off to a flying start as Robin Van Persie opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a cracking free kick, before Philippe Senderos doubled the lead with a close range flick seven minutes later.

Arsenal looked to be on course of a massive victory, but Ross Wallace pulled one back for Sunderland in the 25th minute when he cleverly followed Kenwyne Jones' blocked shot.

Jones stunned the home side three minutes after the interval with an equalizing header, but man of the match Van Persie won the game for Arsenal when he notched in Theo Walcott's cross ten minutes from time.

Arsenal retained their position on top of the table with 22 points from eight games, two points off holders Manchester Unites, who played a game more.