Sunderland AFC’s FA Cup journey was brought to an end when they were defeated 3-1 by current holders Arsenal.

It was the visitors who started off the brightest when Jeremain Lens give them the lead before Joel Campbell levelled things up.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Steven Fletcher both hit the woodwork before the hour mark but quick-fire goals from Aaron Ramsey and Oliver Giroud extinguished the Black Cats' cup ambitions for another season.

Shock lead

Jordan Pickford was given a confidence booster in his debut game for the Black Cats 10 minutes in, when Giroud perfectly picked out Kieran Gibbs who only had the young 'keeper to beat at a tight angle but he stood up well to block his effort.

Despite that chance Sam Allardyce’s side were heaping pressure on the home side and they were rewarded with the lead 17 minutes in.

Stand-in captain Laurent Koscienly was made to pay for his mistake when he was robbed of possession on the edge of the area by Lens, who took a touch before a smashing it beyond Petr Cech to send the Emirates Stadium into a shocked silence.

Campbell levels

The home side nearly had an instant reply when Iwobi managed to get beyond three defenders before Pickford stood up to him once more, with Sebastian Coates there to make the crucial block.

However the defender could nothing to prevent Arsenal equalising 25 minutes in. Theo Walcott did brilliantly with his run down the left before he flicked the ball into the area. That was met by the excellent run of Campbell, who did well to hit the volley first-time into the bottom corner.

Joel Campbell celebrates his equaliser. (Image credit: Reuters - Daily Mail)
Joel Campbell celebrates his equaliser. (Image credit: Reuters - Daily Mail)

Going close

Both sides had excellent chances to take the lead in the early stages of the second half when Oxlade-Chamberlain tried his luck from 22 yards but his curling came off the foot of the post. The rebound was met by Walcott but he put it wide.

It was then the turn of Sunderland when DeAndre Yedlin did well with his chipped cross towards the back post which was met by Fletcher, but his headed effort came back off the crossbar and youngster Duncan Watmore scooped over the rebound.

Pickford was called upon once again when Campbell went through on goal after a good one-two with Giroud but the recent Preston North End loanee came out to bravely block the effort.

Double trouble

Arsenal took the lead for the first time as the game entered the latter stages of the contest when Hector Bellerin did well to get down the right side of the pitch to get beyond the Sunderland defence. He rolled the ball to substitute Ramsey, who slotted home from six yards out.

The game was all but sealed in the 75th minute when Arsene Wenger’s side added their third. It was Bellerin again who made the run and almost identical to the goal three minutes earlier. He laid it on a plate for Giroud and the Frenchman;s close range effort sent the current holders into the fourth round.

Closing opportunities

Sunderland nearly replied almost instantly when Danny Graham was put through on goal but he should have done much better, as Cech made a comfortable save.

Pickford was one the shining lights of the afternoon for the visitors, and he continued to impress in the 84th minute. The young stopper prevented Giroud from getting his second of the afternoon when managed to tip his header over the crossbar.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.