Ozil makes debut as Arsenal beat Sunderland

Mesut Ozil made his highly anticipated debut on Saturday as Arsenal beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to continue their run of form. Ozil stole the limelight as he grabbed an assist for Giroud who scored once more. However, the star of the show was in fact Aaron Ramsey who kept up his unbelievable start to the season scoring a volley before adding a second after great build up play. Ramsey's goals weren't before the hosts had levelled moments after the break after Koscielny committed a silly foul to give away a penalty. There were injury problems once more for the Gunners. Cazorla missed out with an ankle injury whilst Mertesacker didn't travel with the squad due to illness. Ozil was a doubt leading up to kick off as he also had illness but was made to play with Santi out injured. Giroud had to go off late on with a knee problem and was replaced by PL debutant Chuba Akpom. There was a positive in terms of injuries though, a rarity for the club at the moment as club captain Thomas Vermaelen returned from injury.

Mesut Ozil made a promising start to his Arsenal career with an assist

Just 10 minutes in to the game and Arsenal were ahead. Gibbs' long ball forward was plucked out of the air by Ozil who then found Giroud to sweep the ball home. That was the Frenchman's first league goal outside of London.

Minutes later Sunderland almost found an equaliser. Colback's corner was met by Diakite who's header came back off the bar.

It then should've been 2-0 Arsenal though. Ozil slipped in Walcott down the right but he wasted his chance as Westwood saved.

It was end to end in the opening quarter of the game as Altidore then tried a shot from range but Szczesny managed to beat it away.

Ozil and Walcott then linked up again as the German played an inch perfect ball into the winger but once against the shot was saved by Westwood.

Walcott could've had a first half hat-trick but he failed to hit the target again after being presented with another great opportunity. Wilshere picked him out at the back post but his header went wide.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

Minutes after the restart Koscielny gave away his second penalty of the season after bringing down Johnson with a silly challenge. Gardner took the penalty and he smashed it into the back of the net for the equaliser.

Just before the hour mark Sunderland thought they'd got the goal to take them infront after Fletcher found the net from close range. However it was denied for offside.

The second half so far had been completely different from the first as it was the hosts that were now causing all the problems. Gardner's free-kick found Ki whose header hit the near post and then some how went wide of the far one.

However it was Arsenal who grabbed the next goal. Jenkinson picked out Ramsey on the edge of the box who then volleyed the ball past Westwood for 2-1.

Then came a moment of controversy. Altidore managed to wrestle Sagna to the ball and then find the back of the net. However the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul, denying Sunderland a goal when he should've played the advantage.

Arsenal took advantage of that disallowed goal to then seal all 3 points. Ozil found Giroud who then played in Ramsey and he finished comfortably for his second of the game.

Late on, the Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was sent to the stands to cap off an all round poor day at the office for the hosts.

The final score finished Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Sunderland: Westwood, Celutska, Diakite, Roberge, Ki, Johnson, Colback, Vaughan(45), Mavrias(71), Fletcher(77), Altidore.
Subs: Mannone, Brown, Cuellar, Gardner(45), Larsson, Borini(71), Wickham(77).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil(80), Walcott(88), Giroud(90).
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen(80), Monreal(88), Frimpong, Miyaichi, Gnabry, Akpom(90). 

Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 39,055