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 prime of the Premier League to 9 factors.
Though the scoreline was snug in the long run, Sunderland’s efficiency made Arsenal work extraordinarily onerous for a win that strengthens their bid for a primary title in 22 years.
Martin Zubimendi’s beautiful low strike (42) and substitute Viktor Gyokeres’s double (66, 90+3) helped the Gunners additional prolong their benefit on the prime after Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth and forward of Man Metropolis’s essential journey to Anfield, stay on Sky Sports activities on Tremendous Sunday.
It is the primary time Arsenal have held a nine-point lead on the prime of the Premier League because the 2003/04 season – the final time the title headed to north London.
Sunday eighth February 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Sunderland power Arsenal to earn victory
Martin Zubimendi leaps in celebration after firing Arsenal in entrance
Anybody anticipating a cushty Arsenal afternoon was most likely having second ideas after the opening jiffy.
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 vast from eight yards out earlier than arising with a vital block to maintain out Brian Brobbey’s strike into an empty web after an uncharacteristic error from David Raya.
Sunderland weren’t enjoying like a aspect and not using a win in seven league matches on the highway, proscribing the Gunners to only a Declan Rice strike, which drifted agonisingly vast, and a Gabriel Jesus strike from distance that was comfortably saved by Robin Roefs.
Nevertheless, the breakthrough finally got here from distance as Martin Zubimendi’s strike from the sting of the field curled in off the within of the publish.
Sunderland might have been behind however they continued to play with confidence after the break. Chemsdine Talbi pressured a wonderful save from David Raya earlier than the Arsenal goalkeeper mis-kicked an tried clearance as Gabriel Magalhaes produced a last-ditch masking sort out on Trai Hume to bail his team-mate out.
Arsenal wanted a second purpose and Arteta turned to Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, and the transfer paid dividends.
Gyokeres pressured the ball dwelling after being teed up by Havertz for his second purpose 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 aspect in an unbelievable place on the prime of the desk forward of Metropolis’s crunch recreation at Anfield.
Extra to observe.
Gyokeres scored each his objectives within the second half
