Gyökeres Brace Powers Arsenal Nine Points Clear in Premier League

Key Points

• Viktor Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League.
• The win propelled Arsenal nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, ahead of Manchester City.
• Gyokeres was awarded Arsenal’s Player of the Month for January but was surprisingly benched for the Sunderland match.
• The benching decision came ahead of Arsenal’s midweek fixture against Brentford, which manager Mikel Arteta reportedly viewed as the tougher test.
• Gyokeres started in Arsenal’s midweek clash against Chelsea, helping the team reach their first major cup final at Wembley since 2020.
• Arsenal’s last major Wembley triumph was in the 2020 FA Cup final, where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored to secure Mikel Arteta’s first title as manager.
• Gyokeres represents Arsenal’s first out-and-out number nine signing since Aubameyang departed north London.
• Opinions on players like Gyokeres are described as fleeting, subject to change with new evidence or performances.
• Despite Gyokeres’ form, three key doubts linger over his integration and Arsenal’s attacking strategy.

North London (North london News) February 8, 2026 – Viktor Gyokeres silenced his doubters with a clinical brace as Arsenal dismantled Sunderland 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium, surging nine points clear of Manchester City atop the Premier League standings. The Swedish striker, who clinched Arsenal’s Player of the Month accolade for January, marked his return to the starting lineup with two well-taken goals, underscoring his growing importance to Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side. This emphatic victory not only bolstered Arsenal’s credentials as frontrunners but also highlighted Gyokeres’ rapid adaptation to the rigours of English top-flight football, even as lingering concerns persist.

The match against Sunderland served as a platform for Gyokeres to reaffirm his value, coming off the bench after an unexpected omission in the previous outing. As detailed in the original coverage from football.london, Gyokeres’ reward for his January exploits was a spot on the substitutes’ bench against Sunderland, a call influenced by the impending Brentford clash on Thursday, which Arteta deemed the sterner challenge.

This tactical rotation reflects Arteta’s pragmatic approach to squad management amid a congested fixture list.

Why Was Viktor Gyokeres Benched Against Sunderland?

The decision to bench Gyokeres sparked intrigue among Arsenal supporters, given his recent form. According to the football.london report, the benching appeared harsh yet calculated, with Arteta prioritising freshness for the Brentford encounter.

“Perhaps harsh, but with a trip to Brentford on Thursday, it perhaps shows which game Mikel Arteta saw as the tougher test,”

noted the article’s unnamed correspondent, capturing the nuanced squad selection.

Gyokeres’ January Player of the Month award underscored his impact since arriving at the club, a period marked by consistent goal contributions and physical presence upfront.

Yet, Arteta’s choice to rest him against a relegation-threatened Sunderland side suggests a deeper strategic layering, balancing immediate results with long-term sustainability. This move aligns with Arsenal’s packed schedule, encompassing league duties, cup competitions, and potential European commitments.

Fans and pundits alike debated the call on social media platforms, with some hailing Arteta’s rotation savvy and others questioning the risk of unsettling a hot streak. Nonetheless, Gyokeres’ subsequent brace validated the decision, proving his readiness irrespective of starting status.

What Did Gyokeres Achieve in Arsenal’s Chelsea Triumph?

Gyokeres’ midweek heroics against Chelsea provided crucial context to his Sunderland exploits. As reported by football.london, he started that match, playing a pivotal role as Arsenal advanced to their first major cup final at Wembley since 2020. The fixture evoked memories of glory days, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s strike in the FA Cup final handed Arteta his inaugural silverware as Gunners boss.

“The thing about opinions is they’re fleeting. What you feel in one moment will change in another when you’re presented with different information or evidence,” the football.london piece philosophised, framing Gyokeres’ trajectory.

His Chelsea display exemplified this, showcasing composure and finishing that quelled early scepticism about his Premier League suitability.

Arsenal’s progression to Wembley marks a significant milestone, reigniting hopes of major silverware. Gyokeres’ involvement from the outset against Chelsea highlighted his versatility, capable of influencing high-stakes knockout ties. Arteta’s trust in him for that game, contrasted with the Sunderland benching, illustrates a tailored deployment strategy.

Who Is Arsenal’s First True Number Nine Since Aubameyang?

Gyokeres stands as Arsenal’s first dedicated number nine acquisition post-Aubameyang’s exit from north London. The original Gabon international thrived in the 2020 FA Cup final, but his departure left a void in central striking options. Football.london emphasised:

“Gyokeres is certainly the first out-and-out number nine that the club has signed since the Gabon international left north London.”

This signing addresses a long-standing critique of Arsenal’s attack, often reliant on fluid, false-nine systems under Arteta. Gyokeres brings raw goal-scoring instinct, physicality, and aerial prowess, qualities Aubameyang partially embodied but with less consistency in hold-up play.

His integration has shifted dynamics, allowing wingers greater freedom and midfielders cleaner service.

Comparisons to Aubameyang are inevitable, yet Gyokeres’ profile diverges—more of a focal point than a poacher. Early evidence suggests he is proving detractors wrong, transforming fleeting doubts into tangible outputs.

How Has Gyokeres Proved His Critics Wrong?

Gyokeres’ brace against Sunderland epitomised his rebuttal to sceptics. Scoring twice in a 3-0 rout, he dismantled Sunderland’s defence with precision, propelling Arsenal nine points ahead of City. The football.london headline encapsulated this:

“Viktor Gyokeres is finally proving critics wrong.”

His January form, culminating in Player of the Month honours, provided the foundation. Critics had questioned his adaptation from Sporting CP, citing pace of Premier League defenders and physical demands. Yet, goals against Chelsea and Sunderland offer evidence of acclimatisation, with his movement, finishing, and work rate shining through.

Arteta’s endorsement via rotation and subsequent deployment signals internal confidence. Supporters now view him as a cornerstone, not a gamble.

What Are the Three Remaining Arsenal Doubts Over Gyokeres?

Despite the positivity, three doubts shadow Gyokeres’ ascent, as flagged in the football.london analysis. First, consistency across a grueling season remains unproven; his benching hints at workload management concerns. Second, integration with Arsenal’s intricate attacking patterns—can he link effectively with Odegaard and Saka long-term? Third, injury resilience; his physical style invites risks in a high-intensity league.

These uncertainties temper euphoria, even as the Sunderland win and cup final path dazzle. Arteta must navigate them to sustain momentum.

Why Does the Sunderland Win Matter for Arsenal’s Title Charge?

The 3-0 victory extended Arsenal’s lead to nine points over City, a commanding buffer in February 2026. Sunderland, battling relegation, posed a trap-game threat, yet Arsenal’s dominance—bolstered by Gyokeres’ double—dispelled notions of complacency.

This result synchronises with Wembley aspirations, blending domestic and cup ambitions. Arteta’s men now eye Brentford as the next hurdle, with Gyokeres’ freshness potentially decisive.

How Does Arteta’s Management Reflect Tactical Maturity?

Arteta’s decisions—benching Gyokeres, starting him against Chelsea—demonstrate seasoned rotation. The Brentford priorisation underscores fixture hierarchy awareness, vital for title contention.

His Wembley return since 2020 evokes nostalgia, with Gyokeres as the new talisman replacing Aubameyang.

What Lies Ahead for Gyokeres and Arsenal?

Looking forward, Brentford looms Thursday, testing benching logic. A Wembley final beckons, while the nine-point lead invites scrutiny—can Arsenal hold firm?

Gyokeres’ journey from critic’s target to hero continues, but those three doubts demand resolution for enduring legacy.