Arsenal tightened their grip on the Premier League title race today with a 3–0 win over Sunderland at the Emirates, a result that looked hard work for long periods before one long-range strike cracked the game open and Viktor Gyökeres came off the bench to finish it emphatically. Martin Zubimendi’s first-half drive finally broke Sunderland’s resistance, and the Swedish striker added two second-half goals to turn a tense afternoon into another statement win that leaves Arsenal nine points clear at the top.
Sunderland arrived with a compact shape and a clear plan to frustrate, and for a while it worked. Arsenal started brightly and nearly struck in the opening minute when Leandro Trossard whipped in a teasing cross for Kai Havertz, only for the German to guide his header wide from close range. That chance set the tone: Arsenal were on the front foot, but Sunderland were organised and willing to throw bodies in the way, forcing Arsenal into crosses and second balls rather than clean through-passes.
Sunderland’s best moment of the first half came from Arsenal’s rare wobble. David Raya spilled a delivery into the danger area and Brian Brobbey pounced, seemingly with an empty net to aim at, but Havertz tracked back superbly to block the effort on the line and spare Arsenal a self-inflicted problem. It was a key moment, because while Arsenal controlled territory and possession, Sunderland’s direct approach to Brobbey gave them a route to hurt the leaders if mistakes crept in.
The breakthrough eventually arrived three minutes before half-time, and it was a strike worthy of opening any match. After a loose Sunderland touch allowed Arsenal to recycle play outside the box, Zubimendi stepped onto the ball and hit a skidding, low drive from distance that crept in at the near post. The finish was as precise as it was powerful, and it changed the mood instantly—Sunderland had contained Arsenal for 40 minutes, then suddenly found themselves chasing.
Arsenal thought they had a penalty early in the second half when Gabriel Jesus went down after a break, but the move was pulled back for offside in the build-up, and Sunderland briefly threatened to make a game of it when Chemsdine Talbi unleashed a long-range effort that forced a smart save from Raya. For a short spell, Arsenal looked slightly edgy, aware that one awkward moment could reopen the contest.
That was where Arteta’s bench made the difference. He introduced Gyökeres and, within minutes, the striker delivered. Arsenal worked the ball into the inside-left channel, Havertz slid a pass into the Swede, and Gyökeres finished powerfully despite losing his footing, the ball flying in to make it 2–0 and deflate Sunderland’s hopes of a late push. From there, the match became increasingly stretched as Sunderland had to open up, and Arsenal began to look more comfortable finding space on transitions.
The final twist arrived deep into stoppage time and summed up Arsenal’s growing ruthlessness. Gabriel Martinelli raced clear on a counter with only the goalkeeper to beat, looked up, and squared unselfishly for Gyökeres to tap into an empty net for his second of the game. It was the kind of finish that turns a controlled performance into a decisive scoreline, and the Emirates responded like a crowd that senses a title is getting closer.
After the match, Mikel Arteta praised Gyökeres’ impact and attitude, highlighting the striker’s mindset and willingness to help the team in any role, and noting that his goals came at a moment when the game became more open and Arsenal had more support around him. Arteta also stressed the value of “routine” wins in a title run-in—matches that require patience, discipline, and the ability to take your chances when the opponent makes it awkward.
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris struck a disappointed tone, pointing to how one lapse and one moment of quality shifted the match after a solid first-half effort. He felt his team stayed in the contest for long spells and competed well without the ball, but admitted they were punished for errors and couldn’t find the clinical touch when their limited chances arrived. Le Bris also emphasised the need to learn from games like this—where a fine margin can quickly become a wide gap against the league’s best sides.
In the end, Arsenal didn’t need to be spectacular for 90 minutes; they needed control, a breakthrough, and then the depth to finish the job. Sunderland made it uncomfortable for a half, but once Arsenal found a way through, the leaders’ quality and substitutes ensured there was no way back.
