“Impossible for Arsenal, a brace from Goiocres.”

Arsenal strengthened their grip at the summit of the Premier League with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening. The North London side’s second-half double from Victor Goñi-Cerces left their opponents helpless, while Martin Zubimendi’s first-half strike set the tone for an emphatic win that intensifies pressure on Manchester City in the title race.

Currently, Arsenal lead City by nine points, a margin that could prove decisive in the run-in. With only 13 games remaining, the Gunners are firmly in the driving seat, keeping their dream of a first league title in 22 years very much alive.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with Arsenal asserting early dominance. Just 22 seconds in, Kai Havertz had an opportunity to score with a header, which narrowly missed the target. Numerous attacks followed before the breakthrough came in the 42nd minute, when Zubimendi unleashed a superb left-footed strike from around 22 yards, piercing Sunderland’s defence and giving the Emirates faithful a moment of relief.

After the interval, Sunderland attempted to regroup, but their hopes were dashed in the 66th minute. Goñi-Cerces, coming off the bench, doubled Arsenal’s advantage within six minutes, a clinical finish that left the visitors stunned. In stoppage time, the Swedish forward completed his brace, capitalising on a run and assist from Gabriel Martinelli to secure the emphatic victory. Notably, this marked Goñi-Cerces’ fourth consecutive match with a goal this season, underlining his growing influence on Mikel Arteta’s side.

The Emirates erupted in celebration, with chants of “We are top of the league” echoing through the stands, reflecting the fans’ growing optimism about the club’s title prospects.

Looking ahead, Manchester City face a crucial test themselves. Pep Guardiola’s men must seek maximum points against Liverpool at Anfield later today to close the gap and keep their championship hopes alive.

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This victory not only cements Arsenal’s position at the top but also sends a clear message to their rivals: the title race is far from over, and the Gunners are determined to reclaim glory after more than two decades.