Arsenal moved 9 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Sunderland on the Emirates Stadium, a end result that additional tightened their grip on the title race and elevated the stress on Manchester Metropolis forward of their journey to Anfield.
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The match was settled with minimal fuss. Viktor Gyokeres scored twice from the bench, together with his second coming after Gabriel Martinelli raced by means of with the ball from inside his personal half, drawing the keeper out earlier than squaring for Gyokeres to roll into an empty internet to seal the win.
Sunderland had arrived with confidence after the 2 facet’s assembly earlier within the season after they rescued a 2-2 draw however have been largely contained, not often troubling a house facet that managed the sport all through. Sunderland managed an xG of simply 0.17.
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Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Arsenal in direction of the top of the primary half, passing the ball in off the close to publish to attain his sixth objective of the season with precision. He’d by no means scored greater than 4 earlier than.
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Any perceived risk from Sunderland was extra to do with sloppiness from Arsenal, notably on the again, however the introduction of Gyokeres from the bench within the second half took simply 5 minutes to pay dividends and safe the match. A deft contact from Kai Havertz discovered the Swede within the field and, regardless of falling, he managed the slam the ball residence.
This recreation took him to eight Premier League objectives and 13 in all competitions.
The victory takes Arsenal to 56 factors from 25 matches, from17 wins and 5 attracts, with a objective distinction of plus 32. It was the kind of composed residence efficiency that real title challengers are anticipated to ship, and the Gunners did simply that with out Bukayo Saka and their captain Martin Odegaard.
Outcomes elsewhere as soon as once more went in Arsenal’s favour. Aston Villa have been held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth, with Morgan Rogers opening the scoring earlier than Rayan equalised within the second half. Extra dropped factors leaves Unai Emery’s facet 9 factors again and underlines the hole between Arsenal and the remainder of the chasing pack.
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Consideration now turns to Manchester Metropolis, who’re additionally 9 factors behind, however with a recreation in hand – their recreation at Anfield.
From Arsenal’s perspective, it’s one other recreation ticked off. Three factors have been secured, the lead on the prime prolonged, and the stress shifted firmly onto Metropolis.
If their rivals slip up at Anfield, this win over Sunderland will stand as one other essential step in direction of the Premier League title returning to north London.