Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal moved nine points clear of Manchester City before their trip to Anfield on Sunday with a good win over a Sunderland side who caused them plenty of problems. As has been the story for much of the season, Mikel Arteta’s side were efficient and ground out a win without tearing the roof off.
Kai Havertz stopped the Gunners from going behind early on after David Raya dropped a high ball into the path of Brian Brobbey, whose shot was stopped by the German. The early energy faded only for Martin Zubimendi to ignite the game with a goal from outside the box.
Viktor Gyokeres then put Arsenal firmly in control, found after some good work by Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz, taking a touch before smashing in the ball past Robin Roefs. The Swede added a third for his side after fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli ran away from a desperate Black Cats defence.
Here is how **fooball.london** rated the performances of the Arsenal players involved:
**David Raya –** Needed rescuing after dropping an early Sunderland cross into the box. Dealt well with a curling shot from Talbi, which forced him into a good stop. Made a second error when trying to clear a bouncing ball, which he had Gabriel to thank for covering in the end. The clean sheet perhaps saving him a worse rating. **5**
**Jurrien Timber –** Fought incredibly hard down the right-hand side, still has to work out this partnership with Madueke in the absence of Bukayo Saka, but it is improving. **7**
**William Saliba –** Got a booking in the first 26 minutes after Diarra skilfully took the ball round the Frenchman, only to be hauled down. Dealt with the thin ice well, helping in the end to keep the clean sheet. **8**
**Gabriel –** Some important headed clearances before a brilliant sliding challenge in the box after Raya had made another error. Stepping up in the big moments once again. **8**
**Riccardo Calafiori –** Made an awful error just before half-time, turning a positive attack into a back-pass of nightmares. Then made a pretty awful attempted clearance which sliced across his own back line. Very rusty performance from the Italian and little surprise to see him replaced. **4**
**Martin Zubimendi –** A game that needed life was energised by a great strike from outside the box, hitting a low shot onto the post and past Roefs, unsavable. Produced a great interception in the box to prevent a Sunderland one-on-one too in another top performance and back to back league goals. **9**
**Declan Rice –** Had the chance from outside the box, in space, curling a strike just inches wide of the far right post from the left-hand side. Ran the midfield all game and his engine gave the Gunners drive and progression throughout. **8**
**Kai Havertz –** Had an eventful opening, seeing a header go just wide before clearing a Brian Brobbey shot from going into an empty net. Saw a long-range attempt, like Rice before him, curl just beyond the top left corner.
Found the pass inside to Gyokeres in the middle for the Gunners’ second goal of the afternoon. **8**
**Noni Madueke –** Nearly forced an own goal with a cross from the right, which Hume sliced over the bar. Sadly couldn’t find the key pass or run and left the game largely having been unable to cause much danger. **6**
**Gabriel Jesus –** Thought he’d won a penalty but failed to remain onside after a great through ball to put him one on one. Shifted position a lot throughout the first half but struggled to influence proceedings. **6**
**Leandro Trossard –** Got the assists after some good early moments from the Belgian, spotting the free Zubimendi on the edge of the box. Also found the ball in the box to Havertz for the second goal too. **8**
**Gabriel Martinelli –** Just offers so much when the game is more open, the runs in behind are particularly effective. He could soon fight Madueke for a starting place on the right-hand side. His run and pass to Gyokeres at the end the key example. **7**
**Viktor Gyokeres –** Within minutes, the Swede had scored, found by Havertz and then smashing in while losing his footing, beating Roefs very well. Added a second after it was put on a plate for him by Martinelli. **8**
**Eberechi Eze –** Shot from inside the box using his left foot after being found by Rice, dragged slightly and curling away from goal. **6**
**Piero Hincapie –** A safe pair of hands at the moment which is what you need when the man you’re replacing looked somewhat shaky. **6**
**Christian Norgaard -** Replaced Trossard at the end. **n/a**