• [Dailystar Icon]
• Sport
• Football
• Arsenal FC

Mikel Arteta has 'one hand on Premier League trophy' as Arsenal beat Sunderland

Arsenal beat Sunderland 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to give the Gunners a nine-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table

[Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Arsenal for the second week in a row]

Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Arsenal for the second week in a row(Image: Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League trophy after a 3-0 win at home against Sunderland.

The Gunners, who are looking to end their 22-year title drought by finally being crowned champions of England again for the first time since 2004, are now a whopping nine points ahead of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's men have a game in hand but face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, where Guardiola has won only once in his time at the club and never in front of fans, as that victory came during Covid.

The North London giants also lead third-placed Aston Villa by the same margin, after Unai Emery's side stumbled to a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth. On a day of good news for Arsenal, they got the job done against Sunderland thanks to a goal apiece from Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres in each half at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, before Gyokeres added a third in stoppage time.

[Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table]

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table(Image: Getty Images)

JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

In a boost for the Gunners, Riccardo Calafiori made his first start since December, replacing Piero Hincapie in defence. A change up top as well saw Gabriel Jesus start ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, although Arteta was still without his injured talisman Bukayo Saka, who limped off in the warm-up before last weekend's 4-0 win at Leeds.

There was an early chances for Kai Havertz with a header, but it was Sunderland who nearly took the lead when goalkeeper David Raya got caught in no mans land, failing to catch a ball he came out to claim, with the visitors' forward Bryan Brobbey looking certain to score, only for Havertz to make a vital block.

On the half hour mark Declan Rice also came close to getting the opener, with a curling effort that fizzed wide of the post. Sunderland could be proud of their defensive display as they approached half-time with the game still goalless. But that changed just three minutes before the break.

[Viktor Gyoekeres doubled Arsenal's lead]

Viktor Gyoekeres doubled Arsenal's lead(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring against Leeds and he repeated the feat a week later, collecting a pass from Leandro Trossard on the edge of the area and scoring a beautiful goal as he converted with aplomb. Arsenal have now scored 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half, with only Manchester City with 15 having scored more in the Premier League this season.

A double change after the hour saw Arteta call on Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli to replace Jesus and Noni Madueke. And just five minutes later, the Swedish striker rewarded the decision when he pounced to score for the second successive week.

He was fed by Havertz at close range in the box, saw off the attentions of Omar Alderete despite colliding with the defender and, as he fell to the turf, managed to sweep the ball into the net. It was Havertz's last contribution as he was replaced by Eberechi Eze and Hincapie came on for Calafiori.

There was an injury worry for Trossard late on, as he went down with asuspected muscular issue and was replaced by Christian Norgaard. But nothing could take the shine off a fantastic day for the Gunners and their fans, as Gyokeres capitalised again.

Martinelli chased down a Sunderland clearance, was first to the ball and provided an opportunity on a plate for Gyokeres, who finished into an open net. Arsenal are still in contention for an unprecedented Quadruple of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. And they currently look nigh on unstoppable.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.