The Black Cats fell two goals behind in the first half as Eddie Nketiah and Nicolas Pepe put the hosts in control.
Sunderland did cause Mikel Arteta's side problems in the first half and cut the deficit when Nathan Broadhead scored for the sixth time in as many games.
Yet Arsenal showed their class after the interval as Nketiah added a second before completing his hat-trick in the 68th minute.
Teenager Charlie Patino then made it five in stoppage-time to make it a memorable debut.
Our chief SAFC writer Phil Smith has delivered his verdict on how each Sunderland player fared at the Emirates Stadium:
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Yet Arsenal showed their class after the interval as Nketiah added a second before completing his hat-trick in the 68th minute.