Viktor Gyokeres netted two goals as Arsenal easily triumphed over Sunderland, increasing their advantage at the Premier League summit to nine points.
The Gunners appeared on the verge of being thwarted by a solid Sunderland defense until Martin Zubimendi’s superb shot found the net after striking the post.
Sunderland created issues, as Brian Brobbey disrupted the Arsenal defense with his strength, and the striker had a shot that Kai Havertz cleared off the line after goalkeeper David Raya mishandled a long ball into the box.
Declan Rice and Havertz attempted curling shots before substitute Viktor Gyokeres fired the ball into the net after receiving a pass from Havertz in the 66th minute.
The Swedish international completed the scoring into an open net during stoppage time after Gabriel Martinelli passed the ball across the box to him.
Following Aston Villa’s tie with Bournemouth and Manchester City’s inactivity until Sunday afternoon, the win intensifies the pressure on Arsenal’s competitors for the title.
In the Premier League, no other team has accumulated more points at home this season than Arsenal’s 32, and no one has allowed fewer goals than their eight, which significantly contributes to why the Gunners hold a strong position in the standings.
Arsenal played without the injured pair of Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Ødegaard, yet Mikel Arteta’s team delivered a controlled display to secure their ninth home victory out of 12 matches.
The dependable Zubimendi, who has logged the highest minutes of all Arsenal’s outfield players this season, netted the first goal with his fifth strike in the league.
There are indications that forward Gyokeres, who was substituted in, is beginning to settle in after a challenging beginning.
Six of his eight league goals this season have come against newly promoted sides, including two against Sunderland, three against Leeds, and one against Burnley.
Arsenal have previously struggled to break down these kinds of teams, and with Gyokeres now netting six goals in his last eight games in all competitions, the forward’s resurgence appears to be coming at a good time for the Gunners.
