Kai Havertz runs the show, 4/10 teammate struggles – Arsenal player ratings vs Sunderland
Arsenal took another stride towards the Premier League title as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
Declan Rice went closest early on as his fierce long-range shot whizzed wide of Robin Roefs’ left post just before the half-hour mark.
Arsenal soon took the lead just before half-time as Martin Zubimendi fired a shot low past Roefs at his near post.
The hosts went 2-0 up just after the hour mark through Viktor Gyokeres, as he made space in the box from Kai Havertz‘s cross and struck home.
Gyokeres bagged his brace in the closing stages after Gabriel Martinelli laid it on a plate for him to score into an empty net following a quick counter, and it ended 3-0 to Arsenal.
Kai Havertz – Man of the match
Havertz recently returned from a long-term injury layoff, and he was handed only his third Premier League start of the season for the visit of the Black Cats.
He was a driving force from attacking midfield in the Gunners’ quest for all three points to keep up their title charge, as he created two chances, took three shots and had seven touches in Sunderland’s area.
Havertz saved a certain Sunderland goal in the first half as he cleared Brian Brobbey’s shot off the line after David Raya had spilt the ball into his path.
He also set Gyokeres’ goal up with real technique and guile as he avoided straying offside while the visitors’ defenders struggled to return to their flat line and then laid it on a plate for the Swede to score.
Havertz earns an eight out of 10 match rating for his stellar showing at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel Jesus did nothing of note
Jesus seriously impressed last weekend against Leeds as he stepped off the bench to score, but his own third league start of the campaign was not as fruitful.
The Brazilian striker failed to create a chance for his teammates, while he tested Roefs just once and only took two touches in Sunderland’s penalty area.
Jesus was also caught offside three times in the match, while he lost all three of the duels he attempted, and he was rightly taken off for Gyokeres, who then shone, in the 60th minute.
The 28-year-old is given a low four out of 10 rating for his poor showing, despite the Gunners’ victory.
Arsenal player ratings in 3-0 win vs Sunderland
- David Raya – 6
- Jurrien Timber – 7
- Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
- William Saliba – 7
- Riccardo Calafiori – 7
- Declan Rice – 7
- Martin Zubimendi – 7
- Noni Madueke – 6
- Kai Havertz – 8
- Leandro Trossard – 6
- Gabriel Jesus – 4
Substitutes
- Viktor Gyokeres (on for Jesus 60′) – 7
- Gabriel Martinelli (on for Madueke 60′) – 6
- Eberechi Eze (on for Havertz 67′) – 6
- Piero Hincapie (on for Calafiori 67′) – 6
- Christian Norgaard (on for Trossard 89′) – N/A