It was a lively and entertaining beginning to the match as Arsenal set out on the front foot to chase the vital win to set them on track to Champions League football. Sunderland, did not back down, pushing forward with menace when they had the chance to do so.
The amount of empty seats did not attest to the importance of the fixture for Wenger's team, whose attitude denoted that urgency as they searched for an opening goal. Sanchez's strike flew into the bottom corner before it was disallowed for a Giroud handball, and minutes later it was the French striker who saw his low finish parried away by Pickford.
The goalkeeper did well do deny Xhaka as slack defending awarded the hosts space to create numerous chances which just went astray. The Black Cats, however, appeared to take a step forward just in time and began to open up Arsenal on the counterattack.
Ndong was first to force a save from Cech when he tried to hit the ball inside the near post, and the winger then fed a ball into the area for Defoe to fire across goal, with Cech getting down to palm the ball away.
Arsenal retaliated with Bellerin hitting the outside of the post, but half time came in what was altogether a frustrating contest for the home side.
A jittery start to the second half saw Sunderland awarded a free kick-kick at the edge of the six-yard box, as well as further chances for the visitors to create danger that caused the tension to rise at the Emirates with every passing minute.
Sunderland began to sit deeper and deeper until all their players were behind the ball, and Arsenal passed the ball around looking for a breakthrough. Giroud flashed a header just wide of the post before Wenger went all out and introduced attack-minded substitutes aware that anything but a win would end all hope of Champions League qualification.
Substitute Welbeck drove a low shot towards goal to force Pickford into action once again. Arsenal finally managed to break down Sunderland's defence when Xhaka played a lofted ball into the area for Ozil's run, and the German squared the ball for Alexis Sanchez to tap into the empty net.
The Gunners were relieved of the nerves holding them back and surged forward for another goal to put the match out of reach for Sunderland, but they were met by a fantastic Jordan Pickford in goal. He saved efforts from Xhaka, Iwobi and Giroud, before Alexis was granted the easiest of finishes after the keeper parried the ball into his path.
Wenger's team were set free, and they had the chances to make it three, but they were denied by either the crossbar, or an impressive display from the Sunderland keeper. Arsenal keep their top-four hopes alive for the final match of the season.