Arsenal moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-0 home win over Sunderland, but they were made to work hard for the three points at the Emirates Stadium. With Manchester City not playing until Sunday and Aston Villa dropping points against Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage despite a commendable display from Sunderland.
The Black Cats, who have performed well in their first season back in the Premier League since 2017, conceded a goal in the first half to Martín Zubimendi before Viktor Gyökeres added two more in the final 25 minutes. But they did frustrate the Gunners at times during the match in north London, with Arsenal posting just 0.43 xG and two shots on target until Gyökeres’s introduction after an hour.
In what was a cagey first half at the Emirates, it took a moment of quality to separate the two sides at half-time.
After receiving the ball from Leandro Trossard, Zubimendi sent an exceptional low shot off the post and into the back of the net on 42 minutes. The technique was exquisite; hitting the ball first time and bending it beyond Robin Roefs’ reach.
That goal took Zubimendi to five in the Premier League this season, just one behind their league top scorer Viktor Gyökeres (six).
That gap increased back to two goals midway through the second half, when Gyökeres took his seasonal Premier League tally to seven to make it 2-0 to Arsenal.
The Swede had been on the pitch for only five and a half minutes after coming off the bench to replace Gabriel Jesus, and with his first chance of the game he fired low past Roefs from inside the penalty area.
He added a second goal in added time, when Gabriel Martinelli broke clear from the halfway line and squared to the striker before he slotted into the unguarded net from close range.
This was the type of game that Gyökeres was brought into the club to make a difference in, and his introduction on the hour mark certainly elevated Arsenal’s attack.
It was harsh on Sunderland, who’d played their part in an entertaining match in north London but failed to really test the Arsenal goal with anything too dangerous for David Raya to deal with.
Following this win, Arsenal have an iron grip on the Premier League trophy. Thirteen games remain for the Gunners to complete the job and collect their first league crown in 22 years.
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Liverpool Face Mancity
Merseyside fireworks will fly on Sunday afternoon, when Premier League holders Liverpool welcome title challengers Manchester City to Anfield for this weekend's main event.
Pep Guardiola's men have fallen nine points below leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table thanks to the Gunners' win over Sunderland, while a top-four finish is still out of the Reds' hands, so both behemoths need no added incentive to come up trumps.
For years, this has been a fixture that could really throw up any result either way, and Sunday's match is no different - although probably for different reasons compared to the recent halcyon days of these two teams.
Neither side has been consistent this season, and if anything since the turn of the year they have been even more difficult to predict.
Liverpool come into the game off the back of a really good win against Newcastle, and they have proven a few times this term that they can raise their game and still beat anyone on their day. However, when it's not their day - and it hasn't been their day plenty of times this season - they are also capable of losing against anyone.
Man City just don't look capable of stringing together the run of wins they need to really put serious pressure on Arsenal, but with the players at their disposal they are also more than capable of winning any given game.
There has been no shortage of intrigue in recent clashes between Liverpool and Man City, and once again there is plenty at stake for both teams this weekend, though their objectives are not the same.
Arne Slot’s side are no longer in the Premier League title race and must focus on securing a top-four finish, while Pep Guardiola’s men are feeling the heat after last week’s stumble at Spurs which has allowed Arsenal to open up a nine-point lead at the top.
An entertaining, end-to-end contest filled with goals could be in store between two clubs who have been scoring freely and still look vulnerable at the back. Liverpool boast a strong record at Anfield against Man City, but the visitors may just do enough on this occasion to pick up a point on their travels.
