Robin van Persie struck twice as Arsenal began to repair the damage from their poor start to the Premier League football season with a 2-1 victory at home to Sunderland.
The win lifts the Gunners to 10th in the league with only their third victory in eight games.
Defeat leaves Sunderland just above the relegation zone in 17th and turns up the heat on already under-fire manager Steve Bruce.
Earlier in the day, West Bromwich Albion claimed the Midlands bragging rights with a 2-0 win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manchester City overtook champions Manchester United at the top of the table yesterday with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa after United could only draw 1-all at Liverpool.
