Arsenal piled the strain on title rivals Manchester Metropolis with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland on the Emirates Stadium, extending their lead on the high of the Premier League to 9 factors.
Though the scoreline was comfy ultimately, Sunderland’s efficiency made Arsenal work extraordinarily exhausting for a win that strengthens their bid for a primary title in 22 years.
Martin Zubimendi’s gorgeous low strike (42) and substitute Viktor Gyokeres’s double (66, 90+3) helped the Gunners additional prolong their benefit on the high after Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth and forward of Man Metropolis’s essential journey to Anfield, dwell on Sky Sports activities on Tremendous Sunday.
It is the primary time Arsenal have held a nine-point lead on the high of the Premier League for the reason that 2003/04 season – the final time the title headed to north London.
Former Gunner Paul Merson, talking on Soccer Saturday, believes something however a Man Metropolis win at Anfield on Tremendous Sunday and the title might be heading to the Emirates.
“If the lead is eight or 9 factors tomorrow night, the race is over,” he stated. “Nonetheless, if Man Metropolis can go to Liverpool and win, that may be an actual assertion. It might actually make Arsenal assume.”
Sunday eighth February 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Sunderland pressure Arsenal to earn victory
Martin Zubimendi leaps in celebration after firing Arsenal in entrance
Anybody anticipating a snug Arsenal afternoon was most likely having second ideas after the opening couple of minutes.
Kai Havertz, the match-winner for Arsenal within the Carabao Cup semi-final towards Chelsea in midweek, was closely concerned at each ends early on, planting a free header nicely extensive from eight yards out earlier than arising with an important block to maintain out Brian Brobbey’s strike into an empty internet after an uncharacteristic error from David Raya.
Sunderland weren’t taking part in like a facet and not using a win in seven league matches on the street, limiting the Gunners to only a Declan Rice strike, which drifted agonisingly extensive, and a Gabriel Jesus strike from distance that was comfortably saved by Robin Roefs.
Nonetheless, the breakthrough ultimately got here from distance as Martin Zubimendi’s strike from the sting of the field curled in off the within of the put up.
Sunderland could have been behind however they continued to play with confidence after the break. Chemsdine Talbi pressured a tremendous save from David Raya earlier than the Arsenal goalkeeper mis-kicked an tried clearance as Gabriel Magalhaes produced a last-ditch overlaying deal with on Trai Hume to bail his team-mate out.
Arsenal wanted a second aim and Arteta turned to Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, and the transfer paid dividends.
Gyokeres pressured the ball residence after being teed up by Havertz for his second aim in as many Premier League video games earlier than he rounded off an ideal afternoon for the Gunners with a 3rd in stoppage time to place Mikel Arteta’s facet in an unbelievable place on the high of the desk forward of Metropolis’s crunch recreation at Anfield.
Arteta delighted with victory
The Arsenal supporters serenaded their workforce with a refrain of “we’re high of the league” on the closing whistle – and, if Metropolis fail to beat Liverpool on Sunday, the Gunners would possibly simply keep there for the rest of the marketing campaign.
Arteta praised his facet as soon as once more, describing his facet’s nine-point benefit as a second to take pleasure in.
“Sunderland a very good facet and make it actually tough for you,” the Arsenal boss stated. “Very bodily, very direct, very nicely organised they usually made it a very lengthy match.
“We did not concede hardly something. Solely the primary motion when David [Raya] tries to catch it, I believe it is a foul, in any other case nothing.
“You can not actually dominate and management the sport in all areas as a result of they’re actually good at breaking it up and taking part in to the final minute.
“Right this moment is a second to take pleasure in. Once more, it has been a very optimistic week for the reason that recreation towards Leeds as nicely and the way in which the workforce has reacted. So, yeah, very pleased.”
Gyokeres: Influence off the bench an excellent signal for Arsenal
Gyokeres scored each his objectives within the second half
Arsenal as soon as once more confirmed their energy in depth as Gyokeres, who now has eight aim involvements in eight video games, got here off the bench to attain twice and seal his facet’s victory.
The Gunners have now scored 9 objectives through substitutes within the Premier League this season, greater than another workforce, and Gyokeres believes it is a good signal for the workforce.
“The outcomes present it however they [Sunderland] an excellent facet,” Gyokeres informed Sky Sports activities. “They’re very robust and good within the air so it will all the time be a battle. While you rating three objectives, it is a good end result.
“We have proven all through the season that numerous gamers have come from the bench and had an influence. It is an excellent signal and we’ve got to maintain it going.
“We had some nice outcomes just lately but it surely’s all the time robust and we’ve got to be on high in each side to win video games. We’ve to organize our our bodies and win the following one.”
Has Gyokeres discovered a brand new position to go well with him at Arsenal?
Viktor Gyokeres scores late on to place Arsenal 3-0 up towards Sunderland
Evaluation from Sky Sports activities’ Callum Bishop:
“Gabriel Jesus’ return from damage has meant one key factor from the attitude of Viktor Gyokeres. He’s now not assured to steer the road for Arsenal.
“Given it has been a troublesome season for the Swede, it might have been straightforward for him to enter his shell much more. He has been used to averaging a aim a recreation or higher within the final couple of seasons. With 13 objectives in 25 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, he’s in need of these ranges.
“However a noticeable enchancment is clear. The 27-year-old has eight aim involvements in his final eight video games. In 2026, he has extra objectives than another Premier League participant throughout all competitions.
“Sure, some would possibly level to the opposition in a few of these. Kairat Almaty ought to’ve been brushed apart. Leeds and Sunderland are usually not straightforward video games, however nonetheless ones you’d anticipate Arsenal to win. However amongst which might be additionally objectives and assists towards Chelsea and Inter Milan too.
“Notably, the aim towards Milan was just like his second towards the Black Cats. Gyokeres was capable of bear down on aim with the opposition urgent. The finishes had been completely different, however the nature was the identical. And he was more energizing having come off the bench.
“Maybe that is the important thing for unlocking one of the best from Gyokeres in the direction of the again finish of the season. With Jesus and Havertz again as choices, does Arteta take a look at Gyokeres as extra of an influence participant on the bench.
“That position would seem to go well with his strengths some extra. Very not often do Arsenal play in a method that permits Gyokeres the possibility to run in behind and get a march on defenders, since they’re normally holding possession in areas excessive up the pitch. However, in tight video games like towards Inter or Sunderland, their resolute defensive construction means they will take in strain after which hit groups on the break. With Gyokeres recent and up high in these moments, these no participant in that Gunners squad they’d quite have main the cost.
“The energy in depth Arteta has at his disposal goes to be essential from now till the top of the season. 9 objectives from the bench is the very best of any Premier League membership and proves simply how a lot high quality he has. However simply as vital as that. is how he utilises it.
“Would Gyokeres have been dreaming of coming to the Emirates to be a participant to come back off the bench? After all not. Nonetheless, that could be the place he’s handiest from now up till the season’s finish.”
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