Arsenal continued their relentless march toward the Premier League title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable afternoon, Mikel Arteta’s side had to navigate several nervy moments before their superior quality told in the final half-hour.
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute through Martin Zubimendi. Just moments after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Brian Brobbey, the Spanish midfielder unleashed a curling strike from 25 yards that flew past Robin Roefs. Zubimendi celebrated by paying tribute to the injured Mikel Merino, performing his compatriot's trademark corner-flag celebration.
Sunderland, who have been the league's surprise package this season, nearly equalized early in the second half when David Raya spilled a cross, but Kai Havertz was on hand to make a goal-saving block from Brobbey. Arteta responded by bringing on Viktor Gyökeres in the 60th minute, a move that proved decisive.
Gyökeres doubled the lead in the 66th minute, finishing clinically after a precise low cross from Havertz. The Swedish striker then put the icing on the cake in the third minute of stoppage time, sprinting from his own half before slotting home his second of the match following a rapid counter-attack led by Gabriel Martinelli.
What It Means: This win extends Arsenal’s lead at the summit to nine points, at least until Manchester City face Liverpool tomorrow. For Sunderland, the defeat ends their brief unbeaten run, but they remain firmly in the hunt for European football in 8th place.