By Our man at the Emirates
MIKEL ARTETA’S title-hungry Gunners moved a massive nine points clear at the Premier League summit after super-sub Viktor Gyokeres tore the heart out of a stubborn Sunderland.
The Emirates was rocking as Arsenal’s new cult hero stepped off the bench to prove exactly why he’s the most feared finisher in the land right now.
It wasn’t always a stroll in the park, but when you’ve got stars this bright, the result is never in doubt.
Sunderland arrived in North London with a “low block” and a high nuisance factor.
For 40 minutes, the Black Cats were the ultimate party poopers, frustrating the leaders and even forcing a goal-line clearance from Kai Havertz.
But you can’t keep quality down. Just before the break, Martin Zubimendi showed why he’s the heartbeat of this midfield. Picking up a pass from Leandro Trossard, the Spaniard unleashed a 20-yard “skimmer” that kissed the post on its way in.
It was a goal of pure technical filth, breaking the deadlock and the Black Cats’ resolve in one fell swoop.
If Zubimendi opened the door, Viktor Gyokeres blew the roof off the place.
Replacing Gabriel Jesus in the second half, the Swede took just five minutes to make his mark.
Despite a slip in the box, the powerhouse striker showed incredible balance to swivel and smash the ball past Robin Roefs.
He wasn’t done there. As the clock ticked into injury time, Gabriel Martinelli led a breakaway that left the Sunderland defense looking like they were running through treacle.
The Brazilian unselfishly squared it, and Gyokeres was there to tap home his second of the afternoon and his eighth of a rampant campaign.
While the forwards grab the headlines, the “Megalithic Rock” that is Gabriel—wearing the captain’s armband in Martin Odegaard’s absence—was imperious.
Alongside William Saliba, he ensured David Raya’s early fumble was the only sniff the visitors got.
Sunderland’s xG of 0.17 tells the story: they didn’t just lose; they were deleted.
With Manchester City facing a daunting trip to Anfield tomorrow, the pressure is now firmly on Pep.
Arsenal have the points, they have the stars, and right now, they look like they have the trophy in their sights.
