Alexis Sanchez set a Premier League record with his opening goal for Arsenal as they ran out 4-1 winners over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The Chile international grabbed his seventh goal of the season after just 19th minutes, heading home Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross to make it 1-0.
Sanchez’s goal was the result of a superb team move that saw 22 passes exchanged, a Premier League record this season, before the ball hit the back of the net.
22 – There were 22 passes before Sanchez's goal v Sunderland, the most before a goal in the Premier League this season. Move. pic.twitter.com/u30eP4fYUU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 29, 2016
Arsenal were made to work for their victory against the Premier League’s bottom side. Jermain Defoe levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the 65th minute before Arsenal cantered to victory.
Olivier Giroud scored twice, in between another strike for Sanchez, as the Gunners ran out 4-1 winners and led Pat Nevin to admit that Arsenal are playing the best __football in the top flight.
“I suspect at the moment Arsenal are arguably playing the best __football in the league,” he told BBC Sport. “But it’s a long season, and the only question mark over them today has been about them having the right mindset, and for 20 minutes today they weren’t good enough.
“They always say that there are no easy games in the Premier League – yeah there is, Arsenal have had one today.”
Arsenal have always been reknown for their attractive style of play but seem to be backing it up this season with consistency – the Gunners are still unbeaten since the opening day – a run of 14 games in all competitions.