Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, setting a new league record in the process by remaining unbeaten in 44 consecutive home matches against promoted sides.

With Mikel Arteta calling for a more vibrant atmosphere as his team looked to strengthen their title challenge, the hosts were slow to find their rhythm in the opening stages. Sunderland settled quickly and showed early signs of confidence.

The visitors almost took a shock lead inside the opening 10 minutes when David Raya failed to gather Trai Hume’s free-kick. However, Kai Havertz, making his first Premier League start at the Emirates in over a year, reacted sharply to block Brian Brobbey’s close-range effort.

Arsenal gradually asserted control through possession, but clear-cut chances were initially hard to come by. The league leaders were frequently limited to long-range attempts, yet that approach eventually paid dividends. Declan Rice went close with a powerful effort that drifted narrowly wide, before Martín Zubimendi broke the deadlock with a thunderous low drive that clipped the inside of the near post.

The Spaniard’s second consecutive Premier League opener injected momentum into the contest. Gabriel Jesus soon had a potential penalty waved away for offside, while Havertz curled another effort just past the post as Arsenal pushed for a second.

Sunderland had remained competitive for much of the first half, but falling behind against the division’s strongest second-half side left them facing an uphill task after the break.

Chemsdine Talbi attempted to spark a comeback with a low strike that forced a smart save from Raya, but it proved a brief moment of hope for the visitors. Just after the hour mark, Arsenal doubled their advantage.

Substitute Viktor Gyökeres made an immediate impact, firing home within five minutes of coming on after latching onto Havertz’s pass, despite losing his balance in the process. The goal marked the first time the Swedish striker had scored in consecutive Premier League matches.

Gyökeres completed his brace in stoppage time, calmly finishing a swift counter-attack initiated by Gabriel Martinelli’s pace and precise delivery. The late strike sealed Arsenal’s 14th consecutive unbeaten head-to-head meeting with Sunderland.

The defeat represented only Sunderland’s third loss in 10 league games under Régis Le Bris, while their wait for an away victory at Arsenal, stretching back to 1983, continues.

For the Gunners, the result further underlined their title credentials as they move ever closer to claiming their first league championship since 2004.