Inevitable victory for Arsenal did not provide the most exciting of Saturday lunchtime kick-offs. Sunderland's continued ability to be utterly terrible this season is almost impressive, considering their late season heroics in 2015/16.

A brief scare for Arsenal came about during the second half, but Sunderland's struggles were reflected in how poor they were once they equalised. It took a few minutes for Arsenal to regain the lead and the Black Cats collapsed from there onwards. Olivier Giroud dominated their defence aerially, Alexis Sanchez was impossible for Sunderland to deal with and their midfielders offered minimal protection even against a weakened Arsenal midfield pairing.

Boos greeted the final whistle as David Moyes' side fell to their seventh defeat in just 10 Premier League games so far this season. It looks damn bleak for the Black Cats and there are few signs of it getting any better at the moment.

A game that went as so many expected managed to teach us a surprising amount...

Sunderland could be worse than Villa

The worst ten game start to a Premier League season now belongs to Sunderland. Abysmal for the majority of their matches and seldom looking like a side capable of avoiding relegation, the outlook is stormy at the Stadium of Light.

Aston Villa were a figure of fun last season, mocked for their dismal results and limp performances but the Black Cats are on course to be one of the worst top flight teams in English league history.

Alexis is there to stay

Alexis Sanchez is very, very good. We all knew that already. We knew that way before this season was upon us, in fact.

What we have learnt this season is that he has adapted to playing as the centre forward brilliantly. He is now the focal point of the team and he is there to stay. Olivier Giroud's return to the squad, despite not being ready to start, adds pressure on Alexis but another complete performance from the Chilean means he shan't be going anywhere.

Get Big Sam on the blower

Change is needed at Sunderland. If we weren't already aware.

Moyes has had a chance and, although nothing greater was expected from this game, the dismal performance that accompanied the boos around the Stadium of Light mean it might just be time for some of the Black Cats' big wigs to get in touch with their former gaffer.

Oli G waiting in the wings

Two goals, two touches. Impact substitutions don't come much more significant than Olivier Giroud.

Sunderland's second half parity was short lived due to the Frenchman and, having been unavailable for much of this season, he is clearly fighting fit again.

No Theo, no problem

Despite missing chances, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain proved himself as more than adept deputy for Theo Walcott. Walcott, who has had his best start to any season, has a minor injury worry but should return to the XI soon.

Chamberlain has struggled for consistency at Arsenal, like Walcott, and saw questions about his future over summer. By no means his best performance, 'The Ox' was still a threat down the right.