Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1: Wenger hails Giroud after comfortable win

Arsene Wenger singled out Olivier Giroud for special praise after the striker’s double helped Arsenal cruise to victory over Sunderland.

Giroud, who sat out Arsenal’s last two games, stroked home the opener in the fifth minute at Emirates Stadium before capitalising on a poor Santiago Vergini back-pass for his second after half an hour.

Tomas Rosicky then chipped home a third after an intricate passing move, with Laurent Koscielny heading the fourth from a corner in the second half.

I have always said Giroud is a strong character and he showed that today

Arsene Wenger

Emanuele Giaccherini hit an impressive volley nine minutes from time to end the Gunners’ run of five Emirates clean sheets.

“I have always said Giroud is a strong character and he showed that today,” said Wenger.

“Tomas Rosicky’s goal was one of the best and one of the two Olivier Giroud goals is a great goal. That is the way we want to play and when we score it makes you happy because it enforces the way you want to play.

“Tomas’ goal was a great strike. I am so pleased for him because he is a fantastic football player and we love him here. To get on the end of a good move was great for him.

“After playing for so long with 10 men in a difficult game in midweek against Bayern Munich it was good to win today. The three points are welcome.”

The win leaves Arsenal second in the Premier League table and a point behind leaders Chelsea with 11 games left to play.

And Wenger added: “We are still there in the table. It is down to consistency and our performances. It was important to win the game. We lost to Liverpool and drew with Manchester United. We needed to win this game.”