Sunderland 0-3 Arsenal
Robin van Persie bagged a brace as Arsenal beat Sunderland to advance to the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
Emmanuel Eboue gave the Gunners the lead on the hour mark, slamming home into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Van Persie made it 2-0 from the spot on 67 minutes after Arturo Lupoli was fouled by Justin Hoyte and Dan Smith.
And the Dutch striker capped the win with a cool finish on 86 minutes after Sebastian Larsson played a neat ball behind the Black Cats defence.
Van Persie, who had not scored since the opening day of the season, looked bright from the start.
The 22-year-old should have opened the scoring in the 29th minute, latching on to Larsson's through ball but failing to curl his effort around Ben Alnwick.
Philippe Senderos then sent a free header wide from a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie corner before Sunderland's Anthony Le Tallec headed over just before the break.
Van Persie was denied by Alnwick again in the 49th minute after being released by Larsson.
But Eboue gave the Gunners the lead with a stunning pile-driver before Van Persie doubled the lead after Lupoli was bundled over by Hoyte and Smith.
Sunderland substitute Dean Whitehead went close with a long-range effort with nine minutes remaining before Lupoli went close with a low drive at the other end.
And with four minutes remaining Van Persie slid the ball under Alnwick to seal victory.
