Viktor Gyokeres is proving Arsenal followers mistaken – two objectives in opposition to Sunderland solely bolster his case in his battle with Gabriel Jesus for the beginning No 9 gig, writes ISAAN KHAN

Arsenal eased past Sunderland thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres double and Martin Zubimendi goal to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. 

Unlike November’s tetchy draw between the two teams at the Stadium of Light, the Gunners had no such issues this time.

Gyokeres’ growing influence 

Is the tide turning for Viktor Gyokeres?

Having watched Gabriel Jesus put in an underwhelming shift, the Swede rose off the bench after an hour — and then struck six minutes later.

It was a seasoned striker’s finish, as he slipped but still managed to powerfully shoot Kai Havertz’s pass past goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

That gave Gyokeres an injection of confidence as he held the ball up effectively and looked more keen than usual to receive possession.

Such desire was seen in his second goal, scored in injury time, where he ran from inside his own area to keep pace with Gabriel Martinelli and tap in the square pass.

When asked whether confidence has been the difference for Gyokeres, an effusive Arteta said: ‘That’s the magic word, I think.

‘When you feel confident, when you feel important, when you feel at your best, that’s when you can really take your game to the highest level.

‘And, yeah, we all try. The first one are the team-mates, but all the staff, obviously, are really behind him in every moment to try to help him, to try to support him. He is delivering, and he’s in a really good moment now.’

This was a different Gyokeres to the one often met by groans from supporters who often expect more from a man signed in the summer to solve Arsenal’s long-running striker woes.

A brace against Sunderland does not make him the finished article — there is a way to go still — but this cameo reflected a man with a sense of self-belief which has been previously missing.

The Swede now has six goals in his last eight appearances, making him Arsenal’s top scorer across all competitions with 13.

The jury has been out among fans as to whether he is the man to lead the Arsenal line; yet these figures can’t be ignored, no matter the feelings towards his overall play this season.

After Gabriel Jesus’ underwhelming start here, Gyokeres showed enough to reflect just why Arteta has kept sticking with him and will continue to do so. 

As he often does, Jesus tried to use his dribbling ability to wiggle away from the opposition and bring team-mates into play.

In the role he played here, the Brazilian struggled to hold the ball up and made a meal of the chance he had just before half-time which was judged offside.

On a break from the halfway line, Jesus’ feet were behind the line but his upper body past it which put him ahead of the Sunderland defender.

Anyhow, the resulting attack saw Jesus try to round the keeper — which was going to be a penalty if not for the earlier offside — instead of shooting earlier.

It summed up his afternoon: working hard to contribute, but falling short of the required mark.

If it wasn’t clear already, Gyokeres will know a few more respectable performances can make the Arsenal No9 shirt his to keep.

Zubimendi flaunts his gifts 

A master pick-pocketer and metronomic passer, Martin Zubimendi was drafted in by Arteta for these qualities.

Arsenal’s answer to Rodri of Manchester City has, for the most part, added a dimension which has bolstered this team.

His assuredness in the middle is a key feature, even though he’s not infallible to mistakes as seen against Manchester United where he was at fault for at least one of their goals.

Yet, what has been a surprise is the goals he has brought to the table — as well as his penchant for long-distance shooting.

Saturday’s strike from outside the area, rebounding into the goal off the post, was his fifth league goal overall — and a reflection of how deadly he can be from distance.

There was his thunderous volley against Nottingham Forest, and a series of other strikes from a range some of his team-mates are reluctant to shoot from.

They include hitting the bar against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in November.

His technique whether from volleys or a stationary position is exquisite and hard to replicate. It adds an extra element and will now make opposition even more wary of the ball landing to Zubimendi in such positions.

This reflects a wider trend. Across the Premier League, finishes from outside the penalty area are arriving at a rate of around 0.4 per match, the division’s highest since 2013-14.

In Zubimendi, Arsenal have a man who can not only put in tackles and keep play ticking, but also strike from distance.

This is an avenue which can continue to be utilised and break open matches where low-block teams desperately try to hold on against the north London club.

He’s a potent package indeed.