Arsenal vs Sunderland player ratings: Hector Bellerin and Duncan Watmore impress as FA Cup holders progress

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Hector Bellerin challenges for the ball with Patrick van Aanholt (Getty Images)

Arsenal overcame an early scare to progress into the FA Cup fourth round as they hope to win the competition for a third season running.

Jeremain Lens quietened the Emirates when he took advantage of a defensive mix-up between Laurent Koscileny and Kieran Gibbs, stole the ball on the edge of the box and rifled home.

A 'cupset' was not, however, on the cards for long. Theo Walcott drove to the byline and angled a cross back to Joel Campbell, who had the requisite time and space to slot past rookie Jordan Pickford.

The young goalkeeper acquitted himself well overall but some nervy moments early on had Arsenal smelling blood and the equaliser did not come as an surprise.

Sam Allardyce's side held their own for the rest of the first half, showing the rigid defensive structure and organisation we have come to expect since his appointment. In the second half, however, pressure mounted on the Black Cats and they soon buckled.

First, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain smacked the upright and, although Sunderland's Steven Fletcher hit the woodwork soon after, a home goal felt inevitable. It came when Hector Bellerin, a livewire after the break, sent a low cross fizzing towards the back post, where Aaron Ramsey was on hand to tap home.

Arsenal's third was similar, with another Bellerin daisycutter being poked home, this time by Olivier Giroud.

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