Arsenal moved closer to their first Premier League title in 22 years after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, stretching their lead at the top to nine points.
Gatekeepers News reports that the hosts took the lead just before half-time when Martin Zubimendi unleashed a powerful long-range strike that beat Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs and clipped the post on its way in, marking his sixth goal of the season in a strong debut campaign.
Sunderland, enjoying their return to the top flight, showed resilience in the first half and frustrated Arsenal with a disciplined defensive setup, highlighting why they sit eighth in the league. However, Zubimendi’s strike broke the deadlock and set the tone for the second half.
Viktor Gyokeres then scored twice to put the game beyond doubt, silencing critics who had questioned his Premier League form. The Sweden international converted a precise Kai Havertz pass 25 minutes from time before calmly slotting home an open goal from Gabriel Martinelli in stoppage time. His goals take him to 13 across all competitions this season, cementing his status as Arsenal’s top scorer.
The victory puts Arsenal in a commanding position at the top, with Manchester City able to reduce the gap to six points only if they beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. After finishing second in the league for three consecutive seasons, it now seems a matter of time before Mikel Arteta’s side are crowned champions.
Sunderland’s hopes of European football this season took a hit, but manager Regis Le Bris’ team showed glimpses of quality and stubbornness throughout the match.
The win came with a minor setback for Arsenal, as Leandro Trossard was forced off through injury, a concern for Arteta with the club still competing on four fronts. Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in the League Cup final next month, host Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round, and have already progressed to the Champions League last 16 with eight wins from eight group-stage games.
This victory reinforces Arsenal’s dominance in the league and showcases the team’s ability to perform under pressure, keeping their title hopes firmly alive.
