Alexis Sanchez was once again the man who made a big difference for Arsenal on Tuesday night as they played their 37th game of the season at Emirates Stadium, netting a brace against relegated Sunderland.
After a goalless first half, Sanchez hit the net twice within nine minutes, in the second half, scoring the first goal in the 72nd minute, following a cross by Granit Xhaka and a pass by Mesut Ozil.
Nine minutes, the Chilean again pounced on a loose ball, thrown into play by Sunderland keeper after blocking a bicycle kick by Olivier Giroud. Sanchez tapped the ball in for his second goal of the day, and once again giving Arsenal another thin hope of making the top four in the English Premier League.
It was a game Arsenal dominated from the beginning to the end, having 63 per cent of possession to the visitors 37. Arsenal had 13 shots on target, Sunderland just three. In all Arsenal had 23 shots towards the goal area and Sunderland managed just five and the pressure the Gunners mounted on them showed in the goal kicks they played–12 for them and two for Arsenal
The Gunners with 72 points are now just a point away from Liverpool, the fourth placed team on the table, with each team having just a game left to play.
In the other game of the night, Manchester City consolidated on their third position by pummelling West Brom 3-1, with goals by Gabriel Jesus, Kevin de Bruyne and Yaya Toure. West Brom had a consolatory goal in the 87th minute by Hal Robson-Kanu.
Sunderland
