Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City to move second in the Premier League table with a hard-fought 2-1 win at home to Sunderland this afternoon.
Joel Campbell's first-half opener was cancelled out by Olivier Giroud, who scored into his own net on the stroke of half time.
However, the Frenchman atoned for that gaffe midway through the second period by scoring a second, before Aaron Ramsey made the game safe late on as the Gunners move two points behind leaders Leicester City.
Below, relive the drama with our live text commentary.
2.02pmTwenty days until Christmas and Arsene Wenger might well resemble something of a Scrooge this time around. Could we blame him? Injuries have decimated his squad, to the point where the beach scene in Saving Private Ryan looks mild in terms of casualties. Yep, Arsenal are missing more bodies than a clumsy coroner and, with SIX games to play in the month of December, it's the worst possible time for an injury crisis. Oh, and today they're facing a Sam Allardyce team. Don't be surprised if Mesut Ozil turns up to training tomorrow with metal legs like Lieutenant Dan at Forrest Gump's wedding. Actually, don't be surprised if Arsenal debut their new Robocop strip this afternoon. It's Sunderland at the Emirates, my friends.
2.04pmIndeed, Arsenal have been losing points and players at a rate of knots in recent weeks. They had a disappointing November, drawing two and losing once - a 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion - and the visit of relegation-threatened Sunderland offers the opportunity for some respite. Well, on paper at least. Beating the Black Cats isn't a foregone conclusion. Yes they're in the relegation zone. Yes they've sacked nine managers since January. Yes 42-year-old Jermain Defoe is they're best player. But they've won their last two games and Allardyce's troops ride the crest of a wave into this afternoon's contest. There's no debate over which side has the momentum.
2.07pmTeam news anyone? Why not, but first, have a listen to what the boys down at Sports Mole HQ have had to say on this one.
2.10pmARSENAL VII: Cech; Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Bellerin; Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Flamini, Ramsey; Giroud
2.12pmSUNDERLAND XI: Pantilimon, Yedlin, van Aanholt, Kaboul, O'Shea (c), Coates, Toivonen, M'Vila, Watmore, Borini, Fletcher
2.13pmARSENAL SUBS: Walcott, Debuchy, Chambers, Iwobi, Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel
2.14pmSUNDERLAND SUBS: Mannone, Rodwell, Gomez, Jones, Lens, Graham, Johnson
2.16pmThe biggest surprise so far is that Wenger has rustled up 11 players. Billionaire genius Mathieu Flamini was about to embark on a one-man mission to Mars, in a spaceship he built using empty pizza boxes and PVA glue, until Wenger got him to play defensive midfield. Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla are the latest casualties in this unforgiving crisis. They're replaced by Joel Campbell and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Wenger's only two changes from the 1-1 draw at Norwich City last week.
2.18pmOn a positive note, Theo Walcott is back. He's not been seen since the 3-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup, and he takes his place on the bench today.
2.21pmOn to our North-East friends now and Allardyce makes three changes from the 2-0 win over Stoke City last time out, with Ola Toivonen, Duncan Watmore - who scored against the Potters - and Fabio Borini coming in. The latter replaces the injured Defoe to partner Steven Fletcher up top. Lee Cattermole and the injured Sebatian Larsson - who began his Premier League career with Arsenal - also drop out.
2.24pmDID YOU KNOW? Sunderland have never won at Arsenal in the Premier League era? Yep. In fact, their last win away to the Gunners came way back in 1983. The hosts' last win was in October, but it feels like 32 years ago. Between dropped points and crocked players, a lot has been squeezed into the last four or five weeks. Fear not Sunderland fans: four of the last seven meetings at the Emirates have ended 0-0, which is surprising, but true.
2.27pmIncidentally, Arsenal could move top of the Premier League today depending on results elsewhere. Despite their injury crisis, they're within striking distance of the summit and an Arsenal win, coupled with dropped points for Manchester United and Leicester, would see the North Londoners kick off December as top dogs. Can they do it? We'll know in just about two-and-a-half hours time.
2.29pmWe said that the phrase 'on paper' doesn't mean a whole lot in the world of football, and one of the reasons why Arsenal can move top is because leaders Manchester City are losing 2-0 at Stoke City! There's about five minutes to go at the Britannia.
2.33pmBREAKING: David Ospina has just been sent for a scan on his right hand following an innocuous handshake with the man in this video. This may not true.
The @Arsenal team arrive at Emirates Stadium ahead of #AFCvSFC https://t.co/ZyjIBZHVwk
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 5, 20152.36pmVito Mannone and his mate Gunnersaurus are reunited. Interesting fact: Mannone used to be Gunnersaurus when he was third-choice Arsenal goalkeeper. That also may not be true.
Former @Arsenal man @VitoMannone88 receives a warm welcome from Gunnersaurus! pic.twitter.com/fhjU6Ww2UA
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 5, 20152.40pmPREDICTION! Injury crisis or not, Arsenal have more than enough fit players to negotiate the visit of Sunderland. There is no excuse for not beating a team with three victories all season. That being said, Allardyce has drawn a response from his troops in recent weeks and they will travel to the capital with a smell of blood due to the hosts' woes. We're punting for an Arsenal win, but not by a landslide. Let's say 2-0.
2.42pmShall we scour Twitter to see how those people see this one? I think we should.
2.44pmMr Davids, who has obviously been in a coma since October, has gone all Biblical on us.
Give us this day our weekly 3points 🙏🙏🙏🙏 #Arsenal #AFC #COYG
— T. Adeleye-Davids (@tiiboi) December 5, 20152.46pmIndeed, storm Desmond has the potential to leave many-a-bald man red-faced this afternoon. It's not a day for the long ball, my friends.
Blowy one at the Emirates today - toupée wearers consider yourselves warned!
#AFCvSFC #COYG pic.twitter.com/3dC8Jlxyoa
— NW2 Gooner (@willesdengooner) December 5, 20152.48pmSumit obviously meant to tweet Mesut Ozil here. Giroud has a goal in him, but would you ever use him in the same sentence as the word 'brilliance'? Me neither.
@_OlivierGiroud_ We need that brilliance and extra effort from you today..✌️ #COYG #AFCvSFC
— Sumit K Sharma (@HBK1984) December 5, 20152.51pmBrian is confident. Well, he'd have to be to wear a suit like that, looking like Jack Nicholson in Batman.
#COYG Let us not blow this today its about time we got top
— BrianOkello (@BrianThracian) December 5, 20152.53pmLord knows where this gentleman is watching the match.
#COYG pic.twitter.com/KnIa6NsggM
— HJ (@hanifahAcong) December 5, 20152.55pmFive minutes to go. City have lost 2-0 at Stoke. If Manchester United drop points at home to West Ham, and Leicester drop points in Swansea, then Arsenal go top with a win. It's that simple.
1 minKICKOFF: And we're off in North London. Sunderland, who look like a bunch of reptiles in their changed GREEN kit, get us underway. Let's go.
3 minSlightly embarrassing for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who tries to execute that Ronaldinho trick and the ball goes out for a goal kick unfortunately. He starts on the left, while Joel Campbell is on the right.
5 minCHANCE! Good lord. Arsenal are about as exposed as a dog's scrotum here as Borini races through one-on-one with Cech, but his finish is horrendous and the Arsenal stopper makes the save. Where was Koscielny? Where was Monreal? Lord knows on both accounts.
7 minCLOSE! This isn't far away at all. Aaron Ramsey, in central midfield today, ghosts past Toivonen, but his effort from the edge of the box skims just wide of Pantilimon's goal. Good response by the hosts.
10 minSAVE! Arsenal are out of sorts back in defence and Cech makes a wonderful save to keep out Flamini, whose blushes were spared there.
12 minThere isn't much of an atmosphere here it has to be said. It's yet to spark to life on the field or off it if we're honest. Early doors though and Bellerin looks suspect. He's a superb right-back, but he's been poor today so far.
15 minSlightly better from Arsenal as Monreal and Bellerin drive a few decent balls into the box, but Giroud, a mere spectator so far, can't reach either of them.
18 minYou know what, it's very early days but this hasn't been all too inspiring from Arsenal. They've been so poor and already it looks like it could be one of those days for them.
21 minTwenty minutes deep and Sunderland definitely the better side. Arsenal boasting plenty of possession but it's by design from the Black Cats' perspective. They're been allowed to have the ball. Problem is, they can't do anything with it.
24 minSHOT! Yann M'Vila gets forward well and drives well over the crossbar, but it was another sign that the visitors are taking the game to Arsenal when they have the ball.
26 minWatmore has caused Bellerin a few problems down the right-hand side this afternoon and you get the impression that if Sunderland do come away with something, Watmore will play a role in that.
28 minSteven Fletcher is down injured now following a sliding challenge by Mertesacker, but he's up on his feet now so he should be alright. Overall, very uninspiring stuff from the hosts.
31 minChamberlain and Campbell have been switching wings all afternoon. I gather it's some sort of ploy to confuse Sunderland, but it isn't working. Neither him or Campbell have had any impact whatsoever.
34 minGOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Sunderland (Joel Campbell)
35 minWhere did this come from? Your guess is as good as mine. DeAndre Yedlin doesn't know where his marker Campbell is, and the Costa Rican latches on to Ozil's perfectly-weighted through ball to slot past Pantilimon who looked a bit suspect too. Fine assist and a fine finish.
37 minArsenal have their tails up and we can't be surprised if they score a second before the break. Ozil's turn to befuddle Kaboul is brilliant here but, with Bellerin steaming down the right-hand side, he can't find the Spaniard and the attack breaks down.
39 minIncidentally, Campbell celebrated his goal by taking something out of his boxers and putting it in his mouth. It's not what you think it is. It looked like a pacifier but I can't be certain.
41 minGiroud goes down in the box under a challenge from Kaboul now, but Bobby Madely is having none of it. Arsenal comfortable now.
43 minBeen impressed by 21-year-old Duncan Watmore, who has caused plenty of problems. In fact, he looks like the only player capable of making something happen for Sunderland this afternoon.
45 minBOOKING: Koscielny goes into the book for a foul on Watmore. M'Vila will whip this into the box now.
45 + 1 minGOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland (Olivier Giroud own goal)
45 + 2 minHeartbreak for Arsenal at the end of the first half as M'Vila's drilled free kick is deflected into the top corner by Giroud, who looks sick understandably.
3.47pmHALF TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Sunderland
3.48pmSo, that's it for one half. It was defined by two moments. First, Borini missed a one-on-one with Cech early on, but the Gunners, who were horrendous in the first half-hour or so, burst to life when Campbell latched on to Ozil's brilliant ball to slot past Pantilimon. Arsenal been the better side, but Sunderland drew level when Giroud poked it into his own net. We've got a cracking second half coming up.
45 minRESTART! Huge 45 minutes ahead for Arsenal, who get us underway again.
48 minWorryingly, Sunderland the better side in early minutes of this second period and Yedlin drives well over the bar a moment ago.
50 minRamsey lets Oxlade-Chamberlain's ball run past him beautifully, but the Welshman thinks he's Zidane and tries to play an outside-of-the-boot ball through for Campbell, who can't prevent a goal kick despite his best efforts. Simplicity is genius, Aaron.
52 minSHOT! Oxlade-Chamberlain has been about as quiet as a mute in a library so far, but he drills just wide of Pantilimon's goal now. It took a nick off Toivonen, but the corner comes to nothing.
55 minBeautiful move by Arsenal here as a one-touch passing ploy slices through Sunderland, but Ramsey is offside and he misses the one-on-one anyway. Much better from the Gunners though.
57 minSHOT! I forgot Steven Fletcher was playing - so did Arsenal it seems, as the Scottish striker comes out of nowhere to force Cech into a decent save.
59 minSAVE! Brilliant save from Cech here as Fletcher's back post sitter is straight at the Czech stopper, whose positioning is superb. Worryingly, Fletcher is coming back into this.
61 minSHOT! Better from Arsenal as Ozil literally jogs through M'Vila and Toivonen before drilling wide of Pantilimon's goal.
63 minGOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland (Olivier Giroud)
64 minGiroud's name echoes around the Emirates now after nodding the Gunners ahead. It's a superb clipped ball from Ramsey and Giroud, who got the run on Kaboul, nods home from close range. Brilliant run and the Frenchman has atoned for his own goal.
65 minSUB: Insult to injury as Walcott replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain now.
67 minArsenal look a totally different side now; one that look determined to kill off Sunderland once and for all. Ramsey executes a quite brilliant bit of skill here but his final ball to Giroud lets him down.
70 minTwenty minutes to go now and you feel that Sunderland will get at least one more chance. Arsenal need to kill this off while they have the chance - and they're certainly trying. They're well on top.
72 minSHOT! Good effort from M'Vila but it's never testing Cech. Jeremain Lens now replaces Steven Fletcher.
75 minFifteen minutes to go and Sunderland have their tails up now. Consequently, we've got another defender coming on now as Kieran Gibbs replaces opening goalscorer Campbell.
78 minBOOKING: DeAndre Yedlin goes into the book for fouling Ozil. Chambers comes on for Giroud now and the Gunners are holding what they have by the looks of things.
82 minWe've got nine minutes to go and Arsenal still holding on. Well, they're not been put under huge pressure by Sunderland. We can't use the word 'comfortable' but they don't look at threat just yet.
86 minThere's very little happening, which is odd. Sunderland chasing the game but Arsenal still in full control.
89 minCHANCE! Oh my word. Allardyce has his head in his hands as Van Aanholt drives over the bar from close range. Bellerin is a lucky, lucky boy. Arsenal need to wake up.
90 minFIVE MINUTES ADDED ON:
90 + 3 minArsenal holding on for dear life here a little.
90 + 4 minGOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland (Aaron Ramsey)
90 + 4 minSloppy as you like, but Arsenal are going to win this. Ramsey makes the game safe with a close-range finish.
4.53pmFULL TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland
4.53pmWell, that's it! Olivier Giroud was the villain-turned hero in North London after scoring the winner to atone for his first-half own goal. Arsenal bossed it overall and it was just about deserved, with Ramsey then adding a third in the dying moments. That's is from us. Cheers for joining us.
