Hat-trick of assists & late winner: Four memorable Arsenal wins vs Sunderland

Arsenal host Sunderland in Saturday’s Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners shared the spoils against the Black Cats in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light.

They came from behind to take a 2-1 lead, but eventually conceded a late stoppage-time equaliser.

Arsenal will aim to make amends against the Wearside outfit this weekend. Ahead of the encounter, let’s have a look at four memorable wins for the Gunners over the Black Cats.

Sunderland 0-4 Arsenal – May 11, 2003

Arsenal prepared for the FA Cup final against Southampton with a resounding win over the Black Cats on the road. Freddie Ljungberg bagged a hat-trick at the Stadium of Light.

However, much of the focus was on Thierry Henry, whose early league goal put him level with Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy for the Golden Boot award (24 apiece).

Henry unselfishly provided three assists from Ljungberg when he could have scored on his own. He ended up missing the Golden Boot after Nistelrooy scored his 25th goal of the season.

That day remains in fond memory. Henry instead broke the Premier League assist record with 20, which he currently shares with former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.

Sunderland 0-3 Arsenal – May 1, 2006

The Gunners needed to beat the Black Cats to continue their top-four push and did exactly so in convincing fashion. Henry played a big part in the victory and was involved in each goal.

Arsenal scored thrice in the space of just 14 minutes before the interval. Henry’s free-kick was nodded into his own net by Danny Collins to break the deadlock. The Gunners skipper played a precise through ball for a young Cesc Fabregas to double the advantage.

Henry went on to score from another free-kick to seal the points by half-time. It was a disastrous season for the Black Cats, who were relegated to the Championship with just 15 points on the board.

Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal – February 11, 2012

Henry’s 228th and final goal for the Gunners came at the Stadium of Light during his short-term loan spell from New York Red Bulls in 2012. Henry was named on the bench by manager Arsene Wenger in his final league game for the club, and it was a memorable one indeed.

James McClean put the hosts 1-0 up in the 70th minute after capitalising on an injury to Per Mertesacker. However, the Gunners fought back quickly. A Mikel Arteta rebound fell into the path of Aaron Ramsey, whose effort hit both posts before crossing the line.

Deep into stoppage time, Henry clinched the winner for the Gunners after a superb cross from Andrey Arshavin. Henry scored his 228th goal for the north London giants before rejoining New York Red Bulls for the beginning of the 2012 Major League Soccer season.

Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal – October 29, 2016

Arsenal picked up a sublime 4-1 win over the Black Cats on the road, almost a decade ago.

Alexis Sanchez’s powerful header put the Gunners into the lead, but Jermaine Defoe levelled the scores for Sunderland from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. Arsenal delivered a strong response with three goals in the space of just seven minutes to put the game to bed.

Substitute Oliver Giroud scored with his first two touches of the match before Sanchez bagged his second goal of the day, beating a young Jordan Pickford, who had his breakout campaign with the Black Cats.

Stats from Premierleague.com

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