Arsene Wenger was shown the league table and admitted: “It is a good feeling.”
Arsenal are top of pile the for a few hours. The pressure is back on rivals. A moment to savour the feeling, but with the caution of a warning.
Here was Olivier Giroud scoring with his first two touches after coming on as a sub.
A devastating, match winning, three goals blast in just six minutes and 20 seconds.
Alexis Sanchez at the double to show the strike force was looking sharp... once Sunderland had briefly tweaked their tails.
“It is a good feeling to go first. At least you have one good day,” said Wenger.
But he added: “Top is where everyone wants to be, but it is too early and too tight as well. There are so many good teams in the league. You go game after game.”
The contract with bottom placed Sunderland was stark. No wins. Two points. Pitiful.
Hope and anticipation for Arsenal. Hopeless and hopelessness at the Stadium of Light who look doomed.
That wasn't Wenger's concern. He added: “I am happy with the performance and result. And our spirit. We missed many chances and at 1-1 we had a chance to lose a game that should have been over.
“We kept going and got the goals. It was important to win today. We had six wins then a draw last week at home which was disappointing.
“Another game without a win might have created uncertainties. But the last ten minutes were relaxing.”
After ambling through the first 19 minutes, Arsenal went one up by finishing a mesmerising 22 pass move.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain burst clear down the right and fired in a cross.
Lamine Kone had the job of tracking Sanchez but was slow off the mark as the Arsenal striker burst in front of him and nodded home.
The passing sequence was the longest in the Premier League leading to a goal this season.
No wonder David Moyes admitted before the match it was a “difficult time to be a Sunderland fan.”
As his players walked back for the restart there didn't appear to be a leader challenging, cajoling and shouting the odds to inspire a revival.
But revive they did, very briefly, in the second half, against all evidence on show.
Didier Ndong's long ball caught Shkonran Mustafi's dithering and Duncan Watmore charged, with a heavy touch, into the box.
He was bumped by the advanced Petr Cech and Martin Atkinson gave the penalty. Jermain Defoe converted for his fifth of the season. It was the home side's only shot on target.
Equality lasted six minutes. Wenger threw on Olivier Giroud to pressure Sunderland's centre backs and it worked.
Piqued by Sunderland's goal Arsenal, at last, let rip.
With his first touch Giroud hooked in Kieran Gibbs cross for his first of the season in the 71st minute.
Then five minutes later Giroud conjured a brilliant looping header at the front post from Mesut Ozil's corner. A fine way to return after not being involved in a league game since September 24.
Arsenal weren't finished there. Sanchez got his second and the Gunners' fourth with a cheeky flick.
In pictures: Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal
The home defence were in tatters. Gibbs shot hit the post and Ramsey teed up Sanchez three yards out for a jink and a flourish into the net.
Moyes's side looked like a rock bottom outfit, short of confidence, leadership and guile to improve their situation.
A banner passed over head before kick off by the home fans read: “It's unbelievable , the fans drive the team on to win games – Jermain Defoe.
Except they don't win. And don't look like it.
Wenger's men dominated possession, and should have killed it earlier.
Sunderland fans are realistic to know where they are heading. They sang: “We're f****** s***....”
And they were as bad as Arsenal were brilliant.