Sunderland were condemned to the worst start after 10 games in Premier League history as their dismal run under David Moyes continued with a 4-1 defeat by Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
Free-scoring Arsenal are the last side that a team so low on confidence would want to face and Sunderland heads dropped after Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring with a stooped header from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's superb cross.
Sanchez was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after being hauled down by Lamine Kone moments before a Sunderland break led to Petr Cech bringing down Duncan Watmore and Jermain Defoe equalising from the spot.