Arsenal Edges Sunderland on Van Persie's Two Goals

Arsenal Edges Sunderland on Van Persie's Two Goals
John Nestor

London, England

Dutch striker Robin Van Persie struck early and late in the match, giving Arsenal a 2-1 victory over Sunderland in their Sunday's English Premier League regular-season encounter at Emirates Stadium.

Persie came up with his finest individual performance so far this year, scoring the first goal 26 seconds into the match and then nailing a pressure-packed free kick in the 83rd minute mark to give Arsenal only its third win in the ongoing 2011-12 Premier League season.

Sebastian Larsson recorded the lone goal for Sunderland, who dropped to 1-3-4 in the regular-season standings.

In the Spanish La Liga, Levante continued its surprising regular-season start with another win against Malaga, 3-0, Sunday at Ciutat de Valencia.

Jose Barkero, Arouna Koné, and Juanlu managed a goal each to power Levante to their fifth win of the season.

With the victory, Levante find themselves in solo second ahead of Real Madrid and just behind Barcelona, who boasted the same 5-2-0 card but nabbed the top position with a better goal differential.