Arsenal have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points this afternoon, after securing a 3-0 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
Goals from Martin Zubimendi and a double from substitute Viktor Gyokeres secured all three points for Mikel Arteta’s men, subsequently making it four wins in a row across all competitions.
The Gunners produced far from a vintage display in North London, but their clinical nature in front of goal highlights their title credentials for the 2025/26 campaign.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts
Arteta’s men managed to net their three goals despite registering just four shots on target, with the side managing to cruise to victory despite looking somewhat below their best.
However, despite the needed victory, numerous players who started the encounter struggled to deliver, which could lead to questions about their continued selection.
Arsenal’s poor performers against Sunderland
Winger Noni Madueke has been the man to fill the void vacated by the injured Bukayo Saka in recent weeks, but he’s ultimately struggled to fill the boots of his compatriot.
During his hour showing at the Emirates this afternoon, the 23-year-old attempted three crosses into the box, but was unable to find a teammate with any of his efforts.
madueke-arsenal
He also failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted in North London, subsequently showcasing his inability to impress within the final third.
However, Madueke wasn’t alone in failing to deliver on home soil, with centre-back William Saliba also struggling to meet the demands despite the side claiming all three points.
The Frenchman featured for 90 minutes this afternoon but was dominated by Bryan Brobbey, subsequently only managing to win 50% of the duels that he entered in the air or on the ground.
He failed to make any blocks from any of the opposition shots, whilst committing two fouls, which resulted in the youngster picking up a rare yellow card.
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Securing all three points is undoubtedly the main aim for Arteta and Arsenal at this stage of the season, but there’s no denying themanager will be disappointed with a handful of his players today.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts
The Spaniard has implemented a high bar for his first-team players in recent years, as he aims to end the club’s generational wait for a Premier League title.
He’s often been backed by the Gunners board in his quest at the Emirates, as seen by the £200m funding handed his way during the recent summer transfer window.
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The Gunners have spent generously in recent years.
However, other windows have seen huge investment, with the hierarchy previously spending over £40m on the signature of Gabriel Jesus back in the summer of 2022.
The Brazilian has struggled to match those expectations in recent months, with injuries massively halting his progress under Arteta’s guidance.
Jesus-Arteta-Arsenal
He’s since returned to the squad in recent weeks, even being handed a start at the expense of Gyokeres - but there’s no denying the forward failed to deliver.
Jesus featured for just an hour, subsequently being replaced alongside Madueke, only registering one shot on goal and even being caught offside on three separate occasions.
Gabriel Jesus - stats against Sunderland
Statistics
Minutes played
Shots taken
Touches
Passes completed
Duels lost
Chances created
Times caught offside
Pass accuracy
He also managed to complete just six passes - an average of one every ten minutes - whilst also losing 100% of the duels he contested at the Emirates.
The most alarming stat of Jesus is his tally of just 17 touches of the ball, with goalkeeper David Raya managing two times more - as seen by his own tally of 34.
After such a performance, Jesus was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by GOAL journalist Charles Watts - further showcasing how poor he was against the Black Cats.
Gyokeres’ double off the substitutes bench will no doubt have compounded the attacker’s misery, with the Swede needing to be the club’s starting number nine after such a showing.
Gyokeres-Havertz-Kairat
The striker department has been one that has constantly been questioned in North London over recent weeks, but it appears as though Gyokeres is the solution.
Arteta must be brutal with his decision-making between now and the end of the season, with it becoming increasingly clear, that Jesus isn’t the man to lead the forward line in 2026.
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Arsenal have made it clear they are interested in strengthening Arteta's central midfield.