Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland: Gunners move nine points clear at top of Premier League with hard-fought victory

Arsenal piled the pressure on title rivals Manchester City with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points.

Although the scoreline was comfortable in the end, Sunderland's performance made Arsenal work extremely hard for a win that strengthens their bid for a first title in 22 years.

Martin Zubimendi's stunning low strike (42) and substitute Viktor Gyokeres's double (66, 90+3) helped the Gunners further extend their advantage at the top after Aston Villa's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth and ahead of Man City's crucial trip to Anfield, live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday.

It's the first time Arsenal have held a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League since the 2003/04 season - the last time the title headed to north London.

Sunderland force Arsenal to earn victory

Anyone expecting a comfortable Arsenal afternoon was probably having second thoughts after the opening few minutes.

Kai Havertz, the match-winner for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea in midweek, was heavily involved at both ends early on, planting a free header well wide from eight yards out before coming up with a crucial block to keep out Brian Brobbey's strike into an empty net after an uncharacteristic error from David Raya.

Sunderland weren't playing like a side without a win in seven league matches on the road, restricting the Gunners to just a Declan Rice strike, which drifted agonisingly wide, and a Gabriel Jesus strike from distance that was comfortably saved by Robin Roefs.

However, the breakthrough eventually came from distance as Martin Zubimendi's strike from the edge of the box curled in off the inside of the post.

Sunderland may have been behind but they continued to play with confidence after the break. Chemsdine Talbi forced a fine save from David Raya before the Arsenal goalkeeper mis-kicked an attempted clearance as Gabriel Magalhaes produced a last-ditch covering tackle on Trai Hume to bail his team-mate out.

Arsenal needed a second goal and Arteta turned to Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, and the move paid dividends.

Gyokeres forced the ball home after being teed up by Havertz for his second goal in as many Premier League games before he rounded off a perfect afternoon for the Gunners with a third in stoppage time to put Mikel Arteta's side in an incredible position at the top of the table ahead of City's crunch game at Anfield.

More to follow.

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