EPL 2016/17, Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland: 5 talking points
A confident Arsenal side welcomed a relegated Sunderland team to the Emirates last night. The Gunners are still in with a shout of finishing in the top four places and had to win to keep their hopes alive.
After a frustrating first half, Alexis Sánchez finally opened the scoring in the 72nd minute after latching onto a pull-back from Mesut Özil. The lead was shortly doubled in the 81st minute as Sánchez headed home from four yards out.
The win leaves Arsenal in fifth place with just a glimmer of hope of securing Champions League qualification. They’re now a point behind fourth-placed Liverpool as the two teams enter the last game of the season on Sunday.
Here are the five biggest talking points of the game.
#5 Aaron Ramsey thrives in the middle
The Aaron Ramsey of 2013/14 is the one we all want to see. The Ramsey that used to make driving runs into the 18-yard box, the Ramsey that brought others into the game with flicks, the Ramsey that scored goals for fun. That version of the Welshman was simply scintillating, not the one who loses the ball every 10 seconds.
As the most advanced of the midfield pivot, the 26-year old was given the freedom to roam up and down the pitch, much to the benefit of Arsenal’s attacking play. He linked up well with Olivier Giroud and Özil, providing movement for them to supply.
In the first half, Ramsey made 21 passes in the attacking third, creating two chances. He was central to everything good that Arsenal produced off the ball.