Updated at 14.30
JOHN OโSHEAโS AVAILABILITY for Irelandโs upcoming World Cup qualifier clash against Austria has been put in doubt after the Sunderland defender limped off during their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Ireland play a crucial tie in Vienna in two weeksโ time and James McCarthy and Shane Long (both hamstring) are already major injury doubts.
OโShea, who no longer appears to be in OโNeillโs first-choice Ireland XI, adds valuable experience to the side and his absence would be a blow to preparations.
The 35-year-old Waterford native hobbled off in the first half of todayโs early Premier League kick-off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Substitute Olivier Giroud was Arsenalโs hero on the day with his first two goals of the season โ from his first two touches of the match โ secured a 4-1 win for Arsenal in Saturdayโs Premier League visit to Sunderland.
The France international, whose last goals came when he hit a hat-trick against Aston Villa on the final day of last season, turned in Kieran Gibbsโ cross 19 minutes from time before glancing in a corner to seal a fourth away league win in a row for the Gunners.
Alexis Sanchez had put Arsenal ahead with a fine first-half header, and Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were guilty of missing one-on-one chances to double that advantage.
Sunderland, who came into the match without a league win under David Moyes, grabbed an equaliser after 65 minutes when Jermain Defoe converted from the penalty spot following a Petr Cech foul.
Giroud, who made his return from injury against Reading in the EFL Cup in midweek, put Arsenal back in front two minutes after coming on before netting a second just five minutes later to take his tally to seven goals in seven games against Sunderland.
Sanchez added a fourth with 12 minutes to play to resounding boos from the home fans who began to file out of the Stadium of Light, as the visiting faithful celebrated a win that puts Arsenal temporarily three points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal started the better of the teams and Jordan Pickford twice rescued his side following slack defending, denying Ozil from close range before blocking at the feet of the charging Francis Coquelin.
But Pickford could do nothing to stop Sanchez giving Arsenal the lead on 19 minutes as the home sideโs poor concentration was punished.
Oxlade-Chamberlain burst past Duncan Watmore down the right and curled a cross towards the penalty spot, and Sanchez raced in front of the static Lamine Kone to steer a fine header into the far corner.
Defoe was denied an equaliser when Wahbi Khazri was flagged offside before cutting back for the striker to turn home, though Alex Iwobi then almost doubled the lead with a dipping effort from 20 yards.
Pickford did well to snatch an Ozil lob from the air, but Sunderlandโs task became even tougher when captain John OโShea โ making his 350th Premier League start โ was forced off with a hamstring injury just before half-time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain dragged a poor shot wide on the break for the Gunners, but Sunderland started the second half with greater resolve.
Sanchez felt aggrieved not to win a penalty when he went to ground easily after tumbling under pressure from Kone, and just minutes later, Sunderland found themselves level.
Shkodran Mustafi misjudged a bouncing ball to allow Watmore to drive into the penalty area, and after the onrushing Cech tripped the 22-year-old with his head, Defoe swept high into the net from the spot with Sunderlandโs first shot on target.
Arsene Wenger responded by introducing Giroud, and the 30-year-old wasted little time in making an impact, steering a low left-footed finish beyond Pickford after Gibbsโ clever cross from the left.
Giroud glanced Ozilโs corner up and over Pickford into the far corner five minutes later, before Sanchez added gloss to the scoreline as he collected a rebound from the returning Aaron Ramsey before turning around Pickford and slotting home.
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Will be interesting to see what the changes will mean. The clubs have put so much work in already with the previous guidelines!
@Keith.: opening the pitches would be a start
The gaa do remember that they have 6 counties that donโt fall under this government announcement or do they intend on moving on without us up here
@Mel Roberts: you know as well as I do that the GAA can only mandate along with current government guidelines,That government being the one based in Dublin,Iโm sure the GAA havenโt overlooked the 6 counties at all and they are acutely aware of the government guidelines that are in place there regarding sport etc and returning to play,so why insinuate that the 6 counties may be overlooked??a negative take on whatโs a positive announcement
@Paddy Moran: Donโt mind Mel, heโs still upset over the treaty!
@Mel Roberts: when are GAA teams allowed to train and play up North?
@Mel Roberts: its a bit like gaa clubs all across the world in different countryโs they all have to abide by their own public health guidelines
@Paddy Moran: Spoken like a true free stater!
@Paddy Moran: so your telling me they canโt come up with a plan based on the ni executives guidelines? Weโve had anti gaa banners and protests in Belfast over the last week, members being harrased and targeted whilst playing our games with their kids and the gaa hasnโt uttered a word. They donโt give 2 shits about us up here but still happy to collect the big gates from provincial games
@EnKy: brilliant counter argument