Gyokeres helps Arsenal beat Sunderland to go NINE points clear at the top

Arsenal opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after cruising to a 3-0 win over Sunderland thanks to a double from substitute Viktor Gyokeres.

With title rivals Manchester City not playing at Liverpool until Sunday, and Aston Villa drawing with AFC Bournemouth, the Gunners took their chance to gain more breathing space at the summit and gain their largest advantage at the top since their "Invincibles" won the title by 11 points in 2003/04.

Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey had an early opportunity blocked in front of a gaping goal. But Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi beat Robin Roefs with a stunning strike to break the deadlock at the other end just before half-time.

Watch Zubimendi's goal and celebration v Sunderland

And substitute Gyokeres made sure of all three points in the second half, with an improvised finish doubling Arsenal’s lead before he bundled in a third in the 93rd minute.

Sunderland failed to test Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in their attempts to set up a nervy ending, which turned out to be in vain, and they dropped to ninth.

How the match unfolded

Brobbey was gifted a glorious chance to open the scoring just eight minutes in after Raya had spilled a cross, but the forward’s first-time shot was blocked by Arsenal's Kai Havertz.

Arsenal dominated after that, though, with Declan Rice whipping a stunning effort wide of the far post from the edge of the box after being gifted too much space.

But Zubimendi broke the deadlock in style in the 42nd minute as he met Leandro Trossard’s pull-back with an outside-of-the-boot shot that snuck past Roefs and bounced in off the inside of the left post.

Sunderland had the early momentum in the second half, with Chemsdine Talbi’s bending shot pushed away by Raya shortly after the break.

Arsenal secured the win in the 66th minute, with Gyokeres improvising after a stumble to fire past Roefs just six minutes after coming off the bench.

Arsenal substitute Eberechi Eze shot wide in an attempt to add another late on, but Gyokeres popped up in stoppage time to tap home following a lightning-quick Gabriel Martinelli counter-attack.

Arsenal stay in control

Arsenal followed up their return to winning ways in the Premier League last weekend by booking their place in the EFL Cup final after beating Chelsea in midweek.

The Gunners won the second leg 1-0 thanks to Havertz’s late goal against his former side, and the German almost picked up where he left off, glancing a header wide just 22 seconds in.

It took Arsenal time to settle as they were without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard through injury. However, Trossard and Noni Madueke provided a creative outlet that sent out warning signs.

And the Belgian Trossard, who saw two well-hit volleys blocked, played his part in the opener, spotting Zubimendi in space, and the Spaniard's sweet strike was the magical moment Arsenal needed.

But they needed to dig deep to get all three points, with Sunderland upping the pressure after the break. Arteta had to make changes to his side, introducing Gyokeres and Martinelli.

Those changes had the desired effect as Gyokeres scored to claim back-to-back goals in the second Premier League for the first time.

Arsenal had nervy moments throughout, but it ultimately did not matter as Martinelli led the charge late on to draw Roefs off his line and pass to Gyokeres who had the simplest of finishes. Arsenal have now earned a second consecutive win ahead of their trip to Brentford on Thursday.

Sunderland fall flat at Emirates again

With two wins in their three matches before Saturday, Sunderland had a confidence boost ahead of their match at Emirates Stadium, though they historically do not enjoy their trips to Arsenal.

Sunderland have never won away from home in the Premier League against the Gunners, but Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris may feel they could have really worried their hosts, especially after fighting to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

Brobbey was gifted his opportunity after being in the right place following a poor claim by Raya, but he snatched at the blocked chance, and Habib Diarra could have done better after a pacy counter-attack, but he fired straight at the goalkeeper instead of using the options to his left.

At the other end, Sunderland had a heart-in-mouth moment when Dan Ballard bundled over Gabriel Jesus in the box before half-time, only for the offside flag to deny Arsenal a penalty.

Le Bris had seemingly rallied his team at the break, but despite the momentum being firmly in their favour, they failed to test Raya after Gyokeres’ first goal before they were caught out committing too many bodies forward in the closing moments.

They are now winless in their last eight away games, but they return to the Stadium of Light, where they are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, to host Liverpool on Wednesday.

Club reports

Arsenal report | Sunderland report

What the managers said

Mikel Arteta: "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."

"A really tough game against a really tough opponent. We scored a really beautiful goal with Zubi. They can really break your rhythm and they're really good in what they do. The subs became critical. It was wonderful to watch."

Regis Le Bris: "The score is the score. They were relentless with the ability to seize the opportunities we gave them.

"We showed great personality and we were in the game until the third goal. We had opportunities and we didn't score.

"We feel the experience and the quality. We have to accept. They built this team over so many years and they are well-rounded. Well done.”

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Key facts

Arsenal remain unbeaten against Sunderland at home in the Premier League (P17 W12 D5) only facing Southampton (25) and Fulham (18) more often on home soil in the competition without defeat.

Sunderland remain winless in their last eight away Premier League games (D3 L5), conceding exactly three goals in each of their last three games on the road.

Zubimendi has scored six goals in 34 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions in 2025/26, as many as in his final two seasons at Real Sociedad combined (six goals in 93 games).

Seven of Gyokeres’ eight Premier League goals have come against newly promoted sides, while the Swede has scored in back-to-back league games as an Arsenal player for the first time.