Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland: Zubimendi opened the scoring and Gyökeres scored twice

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice to help Arsenal cruise to a 3-0 win over Sunderland and open up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Match Report

With Manchester City not playing until Sunday, and Aston Villa drawing with Bournemouth, the Gunners took their chance to gain more breathing space at the summit.

Kai Havertz glanced a header wide just 22 seconds in and then was in the right place to block Brian Brobbey's first-time shot on the line after David Raya had spilt a cross.

Declan Rice then whipped a dangerous effort wide of the post from the edge of the box, but Arsenal eventually turned their dominance into a goal three minutes before the break.

Leandro Trossard picked out the unmarked Martin Zubimendi, who met the pull-back with an outside-of-the-boot fizzer that snuck past Robin Roefs and bounced in off the inside of the left post.

Sunderland's bright start to the second half soon fizzled out, and Gyokeres netted his first just six minutes after his introduction, improvising after a stumble to fire past Roefs in the 66th minute.

And he bundled home his third in the 93rd minute; Gabriel Martinelli led a lightning-quick counter-attack, drawing Roefs off his line before teeing up Gyokeres for a simple tap-in.

Data Debrief: Arsenal stay in control of their destiny

Arsenal will end the day at least nine points clear at the top of the Premier League for the first time since the final day of their 2003-04 title-winning campaign (11).

And it was Arteta's substitutes that had the biggest impact; since the turn of the year, no Premier League player has scored more goals across all competitions than Gyokeres' six.

In fact, six of his eight league goals for the Gunners have come against promoted sides – he has scored in back-to-back top-flight matches for the first time for the club.

Gyokeres contributed 0.69 expected goals (xG) to Arsenal's overall total of 1.22 from 16 shots, while Sunderland only created a measly 0.17 xG as they struggled in attack.

Match Events

1' Early header from Kai Havertz misses wide

8' Chance fo Sunderland but Kai Havertz in the right spot to clear

24' Madueke's shot is blocked

30' Great shot from Declan Rice but it's inches wide

42' Zubi picks his spot and converts in off the post ! Arsenal 1-0 Sunderland

44' VAR agrees that Jesus is offside

48' Kai Havertz with a delicious shot but it's inches wide

60' Madueke, Jesus off, Martinelli, Gyokeres in

66' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland (Viktor Gyökeres)

74' Good effort by Eze but just wid

94' GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland (Viktor Gyökeres)

95' Match Event for Arsenal vs Sunderland

Line-ups

Arsenal XI: Trossard, David Raya, Jesus, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Martín Zubimendi, Saliba, Madueke, Timber, Calafiori

Subs: Christian Nørgaard, Kepa, Viktor Gyökeres, Ben White, Eberechi Eze, Martinelli, Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly

Sunderland XI: Omar Alderete, Mandava, Mukiele, Enzo Le Fée, Dan Ballard, Brian Brobbey, Trai Hume, Robin Roefs, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi

Subs: Luke O'Nien, Lutsharel Geertruida, Wilson Isidor, Cirkin, Romaine Mundle, Melker Ellborg, Eliezer Mayenda, Nilson Angulo, Chris Rigg