Arsenal 3 - Sunderland 1: Ramsey and Giroud fire the Gunners past plucky Black Cats

SECOND half goals from Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud saw FA Cup holders Arsenal reach the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates.

 

Giroud's strike put Arsenal out of sight against Sunderland

 

Arsenal had gifted Sunderland a chance to take an early lead and Jeremain Lens put them ahead with a terrific right-footed strike past Petr Cech.

The Gunners, however, responded immediately and Joel Campell made it 1-1 with a low finish on the half-volley.

Sam Allardyce, who made seven changes, watched as Sunderland stood firm at the Emirates but their resistance wilted when two quick second half strikes from Ramsey and Giroud sealed victory.

 

The travelling Sunderland fans went mad when they took a surprise lead in the 17th minute.

Lens lashed in a thunderous shot from just inside the area after capitalising on an awful mistake by Laurent Koscielny.

The French defender received a pass from Kieran Gibbs, hesitated, before Lens picked his pocket and smashed home the opener.

 

Jeremain Lens hammered Sunderland into a surprise early lead

 

It was the £13million Dutchman's first start for the Black Cats since Sam Allardyce dropped him because of a below-par work rate in training and matches back in November.

However, Sunderland's lead did not last long as Arsenal hit back within 10 minutes.

Nigerian youngster Alex Iwobi passed out wide to Theo Walcott, who cut back a low cross into the area.

 

Joel Campbell levelled the scores in the first half

Costa Rican forward Campbell was on hand to neatly clip the ball past Sunderland debutant, Jordan Pickford, into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 after 25 minutes.

Both sides raced out of the traps in the second half with each coming close to adding to their tally.

AnDre Yedlin cleared Campbell's effort off the line before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck the post.

 

Sunderland responded when Steven Fletcher headed against the bar, with Duncan Watmore volleying the rebound over, to rattle the Emirates faithful.

But Ramsey came off the bench after 65 minutes and, within minutes, put Arsenal in the lead for the first time with a tap in, following an excellent passing move down the right.

It wasn't long before Giroud doubled the Gunners' advantage, when he converted Hector Bellerin's cross at the back post to assure the holders of their place in the fourth round.