Arsenal Extend Premier League Lead with 3–0 Win Over Sunderland
Sports Updated: 07 February 2026 20:41 EAT
Gyokeres scores brace and hits the mask celebrations on the floor
Arsenal strengthened their grip on the 2025‑26 Premier League title race with a comprehensive 3–0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring before substitute Viktor Gyökeres added a brace, sealing a dominant win for the Gunners.
The result took Arsenal’s points tally to 53 after 24 matches, extending their lead at the top of the table by nine points over Manchester City and the chasing pack. This margin represents one of their biggest advantages in the title fight this season.
Arsenal’s march toward a first Premier League crown in over two decades was underscored by a performance that balanced control with ruthlessness, and the win consolidated their position at the summit heading into the business end of the season.
The victory also increased pressure on second‑placed Manchester City, who must now win consistently to keep alive their hopes of closing the gap. Arsenal’s cushion gives them a degree of breathing space and allows Mikel Arteta’s side to absorb any future slip‑ups.
Sunderland, who had shown resilience earlier this season, were unable to build momentum in north London and ultimately dropped points that leave them in the mid‑table mix, around ninth in the standings after this defeat.
The result was also a statement of intent from Arsenal as they edge closer to clinching the title with several months of competition still remaining, and reports suggest bookmakers are already reacting to the club’s commanding position.
With Viktor Gyökeres in red‑hot form, having scored crucial goals at the weekend, the Gunners’ attacking options now look deeper and more potent — a key factor in sustaining their challenge across the demanding Premier League schedule.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s nine‑point lead offers a cushion but not a guarantee; rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa remain capable of stringing together results that could test Arsenal’s resolve in the coming weeks.
Still, for now, Arsenal fans have reason to believe that their club is firmly on course for English football’s most coveted prize, a sentiment reflected in both media coverage and reaction across the footballing world.
Arteta: “Very happy with the win. Big parts of the performance with a clean sheet as well because they’re a really tough opponent. They're really good at what they do, really good at breaking play, playing to the last line, breaking your press, holding the ball, and very difficult to get sequences with threat and momentum consecutively. But we knew that.
“I think the first goal really helped to unlock that kind of faith and then again, the finishers, they came on the pitch and immediately they had a huge impact.”
Arteta on Gyokeres: “I think the way he came in, but he was ready straight away. When he got the line-up and he wasn't in, everybody reacts in such a way because we know, we are experiencing it every three days, how important the finishers are, the impact that they are having in the team, the results, and where we are at the moment. Very happy.”
Arteta on Gyokeres mental strength: “Well, the type of character that we expected and obviously, when you put that shirt on, it comes with a lot of responsibility and huge expectations, and you need to live with that.
“In your journey here, you're going to have moments where it goes really well and others where you're gonna be tough, because that's where you have an opponent that plays a part and it makes it really difficult for you.
“But I love his character, the way he approaches every single day, and the fact that he's so focused on the present, what he has to do and and he has a genuine will to help the team in whatever role he has.”
Arteta on Gyokeres turn of form and what has changed: “He came on in moments as well when the game probably was a little bit more open. Today, he had more company as well in and around him, depending on the opponent, depending on the context.
“But for me, what really makes the difference is the consistency that he's shown every single day to practice, to train, to understand better his teammates, his relationship, to speak up and demand the kind of movement, balls and deliveries that he wants as well, and then he needs to do what he's done today as well, and really, really well.”
Arteta on if he will be watching Liverpool vs. Man City: “I'm going to have a beautiful dinner tonight. Tomorrow I start to prepare Brentford, it’s going to be a really tough one. In the meantime, for sure, I will be watching a big, big game.”
Arteta on what it means to be 9 points clear: “Nothing! We still have to win so many games to achieve what we want. There's no focus on that. That's something else. We've done our job now. What we have to do is assess that and try to improve it and get ready for Brentford.”
Arteta On the choice of Havertz at ten: "We have that with the kind of game that he expected. With him and Gabi around the three central defenders."
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FELIX MAKONA
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