Arsenal Cruise to Ninth Straight Win Despite “Valiant” Sunderland Display
Arsenal continued their relentless march toward the Premier League title with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable outing, Mikel Arteta’s league leaders were forced to work hard to dismantle a disciplined Black Cats defense.
Zubimendi Breaks the Deadlock
Sunderland, buoyed by a recent 3-0 win over Burnley, arrived with a defensive blueprint designed by Regis Le Bris to stifle the Gunners. The resistance held firm until just before the interval:
- The Opener: Martin Zubimendi broke the stalemate with a brilliant curling strike from distance.
- The Setup: Leandro Trossard provided the assist for the Spaniard, whose effort left goalkeeper Robin Roefs with no chance.
Gyokeres Makes the Difference
The introduction of Viktor Gyokeres from the bench proved decisive. Replacing Gabriel Jesus at the hour mark, the Swedish international showcased clinical finishing to put the game out of reach:
- Second Goal: Doubled the lead midway through the half following excellent play from Kai Havertz.
- The Closer: Netted his second of the game in stoppage time after a driving run from Gabriel Martinelli carved open the defense.
Keown Singles Out Enzo Le Fée
Despite the loss, Sunderland playmaker Enzo Le Fée earned significant praise from Arsenal legend Martin Keown. Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown labeled the Frenchman “some player” and noted his ability to trouble the Arsenal midfield throughout the contest.
Le Fée, who joined permanently from Roma last summer, has become a vital cog in Le Bris’ system. His versatility—praised by his manager for being able to “solve problems in real time”—has seen him produce goal contributions against top-tier opposition like Liverpool and Tottenham already this term.
The Big Picture: Title Race and European Hopes
The result maintains the status quo at the top of the table but leaves the visitors in a precarious position regarding their European ambitions:
| Team | Status | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 1st Place | 9th consecutive win; 9-point lead over Man City. |
| Sunderland | 9th Place (36 pts) | Champions |
Analyst’s Note: The article mentions Le Fée helped Sunderland “achieve promotion” after joining from Roma; however, Sunderland achieved promotion in 2022, whereas Le Fée joined the club much more recently in the summer of 2025.
