Arsenal piled the pressure on title rivals Manchester City with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points.
Although the scoreline was comfortable in the end, Sunderland’s performance made Arsenal work extremely hard for a win that strengthens their bid for a first title in 22 years.
Martin Zubimendi’s stunning low strike (42) and substitute Viktor Gyokeres’s double (66, 90+3) helped the Gunners further extend their advantage at the top after Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth and ahead of Man City’s crucial trip to Anfield, live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday.
It’s the first time Arsenal have held a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League since the 2003/04 season – the last time the title headed to north London.
Sunday 8th February 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Sunderland force Arsenal to earn victory
Anyone expecting a comfortable Arsenal afternoon was probably having second thoughts after the opening few minutes.
Kai Havertz, the match-winner for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea in midweek, was heavily involved at both ends early on, planting a free header well wide from eight yards out before coming up with a crucial block to keep out Brian Brobbey’s strike into an empty net after an uncharacteristic error from David Raya.
Sunderland weren’t playing like a side without a win in seven league matches on the road, restricting the Gunners to just a Declan Rice strike, which drifted agonisingly wide, and a Gabriel Jesus strike from distance that was comfortably saved by Robin Roefs.
However, the breakthrough eventually came from distance as Martin Zubimendi’s strike from the edge of the box curled in off the inside of the post.
Sunderland may have been behind but they continued to play with confidence after the break. Chemsdine Talbi forced a fine save from David Raya before the Arsenal goalkeeper mis-kicked an attempted clearance as Gabriel Magalhaes produced a last-ditch covering tackle on Trai Hume to bail his team-mate out.
Arsenal needed a second goal and Arteta turned to Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, and the move paid dividends.
Gyokeres forced the ball home after being teed up by Havertz for his second goal in as many Premier League games before he rounded off a perfect afternoon for the Gunners with a third in stoppage time to put Mikel Arteta’s side in an incredible position at the top of the table ahead of City’s crunch game at Anfield.
Arteta delighted with victory
The Arsenal supporters serenaded their team with a chorus of “we are top of the league” at the final whistle – and, if City fail to beat Liverpool on Sunday, the Gunners might just stay there for the remainder of the campaign.
Arteta praised his side once again, describing his side’s nine-point advantage as a moment to enjoy.
“Sunderland a really good side and make it really difficult for you,” the Arsenal boss said. “Very physical, very direct, very well organised and they made it a really long match.
“We didn’t concede hardly anything. Only the first action when David [Raya] tries to catch it, I think it’s a foul, otherwise nothing.
“You cannot really dominate and control the game in all areas because they are really good at breaking it up and playing to the last minute.
“Today is a moment to enjoy. Again, it’s been a really positive week since the game against Leeds as well and the way the team has reacted. So, yeah, very happy.”
Gyokeres: Impact off the bench a good sign for Arsenal
Gyokeres scored both his goals in the second half
Arsenal once again showed their strength in depth as Gyokeres, who now has eight goal involvements in eight games, came off the bench to score twice and seal his side’s victory.
The Gunners have now scored nine goals via substitutes in the Premier League this season, more than any other team, and Gyokeres believes it’s a good sign for the team.
“The results show it but they [Sunderland] a very good side,” Gyokeres told Sky Sports. “They are very strong and good in the air so it’ll always be a battle. When you score three goals, it’s a good result.
“We’ve shown throughout the season that a lot of players have come from the bench and had an impact. It’s a very good sign and we have to keep it going.
“We had some great results recently but it’s always tough and we have to be on top in every aspect to win games. We have to prepare our bodies and win the next one.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
