Arsenal tighten grip on title race as Zubimendi, Gyokeres sink Sunderland

Arsenal moved a significant step closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years with a convincing 3–0 victory over Sunderland that extended their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

A moment of quality from Martin Zubimendi shortly before half-time settled the home nerves at the Emirates Stadium, the midfielder firing in a long-range strike to break the visitors’ resistance. Viktor Gyokeres then struck twice after the interval to seal a comfortable win and silence doubts over his Premier League form.

Manchester City have the opportunity to cut Arsenal’s advantage back to six points on Sunday, should they end a 21-year wait for a league win at Anfield against Liverpool. However, after three successive runner-up finishes, the title increasingly appears a question of timing rather than possibility for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The defeat dealt a blow to Sunderland’s hopes of securing European football in their first season back in the top flight. Régis Le Bris’ team, eighth in the table, impressed early on with a disciplined defensive display that frustrated Arsenal and drew murmurs from the stands over a lack of creativity from open play.

That resistance was finally broken when Zubimendi unlocked the Black Cats’ defence with a crisp effort from outside the area, the ball clipping the inside of the post on its way in for his sixth goal of an impressive debut season in England.

Gyokeres, who has faced criticism for not matching the prolific form he showed at Sporting Lisbon, underlined his importance once again. The Sweden international, Arsenal’s leading scorer, took his season tally to 13 in all competitions when he powered in from Kai Havertz’s pass midway through the second half.

He added a third in stoppage time after being teed up by Gabriel Martinelli, finishing into an unguarded net to complete the scoring.

There was a late concern for Arsenal when Leandro Trossard was forced off with an injury, an unwelcome sight for Arteta with his side still competing on four fronts.

Arsenal face Manchester City in the League Cup final next month, host Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and have already secured a place in the Champions League last 16 after winning all eight matches in the league phase.