Another three points closer to the ultimate goal. As the weekend closes out, the lead is back to six; briefly stretched to nine points for 24 hours before City’s last‑gasp win at Anfield pulled it back again.
And speaking of City, that midweek 1–0 win over Chelsea — 4–2 on aggregate — has set up a huge League Cup final at the end of March. The Chelsea game itself was a strange semi‑final, they came to contain, stay in the tie, and hope for something late. It made for a cagey affair with very little bite from Roseniors men. A couple of long‑range efforts aside, Kepa barely had anything to do; the only real save of note came from an Enzo strike in the first half.
But as the game drifted toward the final whistle, we got the icing on the cake. A brilliant breakaway; Trossard releasing the galloping Rice on the left, Chelsea stretched chasing an equaliser, the ball swept across to Havertz — one‑on‑one with Sánchez — and the coolest man in the stadium rounded the keeper to seal our place in the first showpiece final of the season. A perfect marker for the run‑in against our clearest title rival.
Onto Sunderland.
Saturday brought an awkward opponent in Sunderland, a pacey, powerful and physical side. We knew from the away game they’d give us problems. Brobbey, much like Mbeumo in our last home match, relished the physical battle with Gabriel and Saliba here.
We started brightly and almost took the lead instantly, Havertz flashing a header wide; one he might feel he could’ve done better with, but the intent was clear. Sunderland stood firm, packed the defence, and forced us into horseshoe football at times as we probed around their box.
They nearly punished us early, Raya, uncharacteristically shaky from a floated free‑kick, dropped the ball right into Brobbey’s path. His scuffed effort looked to be drifting wide, but Havertz cleared and took no chances anyway. A warning that this game wasn’t going to simply go all our way.
We kept pushing. Around the half‑hour mark, Rice had a good sighter after Trossard drew defenders toward him, leaving acres for a long‑range effort that flashed just past the post. Long‑range goals are something we need more of — we’re a team built on probing, cutbacks, and penalty‑box precision, but sometimes you need the unexpected from long range.
Ten minutes later, we got exactly that. Same area, same Trossard layoff, but this time Zubimendi cut across the ball beautifully, his strike coming off the near post and rolling into the far corner. One‑nil Arsenal.
It could’ve been two shortly after; Jesus bursting through acres of space, rounding the keeper and taken out — penalty given from Ballards challenge, but the offside flag eventually raised. Marginal, but modern VAR protocol meant the assistant had to wait and a let off for Sunderland and Ballard.
Havertz curled one just wide before the break which would of been a lovely finish but we went in 1–0 at the break.
No changes at halftime, though I wondered if Calafiori might come off given his yellow and a few loose moments as he regains rhythm. Arteta stuck with him until the latter stages, eventually replaced by Hincapie.
Sunderland had the first big chance of the half, Raya getting down well to a low driven shot, Gabriel scrambling to clear and credit to them, they didn’t sit in and wait for a late smash‑and‑grab equaliser. They came out to score.
On 60 minutes, we made the double change of Gyökeres and Martinelli for Madueke and Jesus. Neither starter had stamped their authority on this one, but again, the firepower at Mikel’s disposal is obvious with changes like this coming on.
Five minutes later, the change paid off. We pressed Sunderland high in their right corner, suffocating their attempts to play out. Rice relentless, Trossard backing him up. The clearance fell to our Belgian, who slipped a clever pass into Havertz. Kai immediately fed Gyökeres, who shifted and unleashed a powerful low drive, classic Viktor from the goals highlights I watched before he joined the club. The shot too strong for Roofe. Two‑nil, and the breathing space we needed.
I really like the Havertz–Viktor link‑up. Going back to the Kairat game, Havertz’s ability to operate up top means he constantly looks for the striker, always trying to put him in scoring positions.
Eze came on and had a good chance too, rolled in by Rice but dragging the shot wide. From there, we managed the final twenty minutes superbly; calm, composed, keeping the ball, pinning Sunderland back, winning corners and throw‑ins, and controlling the game in their half.
And then, the final flourish. Sunderland pushed bodies forward, the ball broke to the edge of our box, and Martinelli operating comfortably on the right here — flicked it over Reinaldo, their last man. From our own half he burst away, reminiscent of that Stamford Bridge run past Kanté. Gyökeres sprinted alongside him, and as Gabi shifted it left, Viktor had an open goal to side‑foot home even as he was taken out. The ball hit the net, and the Swede had his first brace since the opening home game against Leeds.
He looks like he’s finally finding his feet and his role in this Arsenal squad. Goals, assists, presence — all coming together in the second half of the season so far for the striker.
Another game Thursday at Brentford, then the FA Cup against Wigan on Sunday. The frontline options are now so varied that we genuinely have a horses‑for‑courses approach, different strengths for different opponents and game states. It’s a luxury we haven’t had in years in the forward line.
Thursday will be another test. The lead may well be down to three if City beat Fulham at the Etihad, but that’s fine. The chase keeps us sharp. The job isn’t done, not even close but with a six‑point cushion, focus is everything. City are the chasers. It’s in Arsenal’s hands to go on and complete the job.
The League Cup final will tell us plenty about where both teams are. Both squads look close to full strength, and how Arteta and Guardiola navigate multiple competitions will be crucial. I keep thinking back to 2004 — that brutal run of Chelsea (twice), United in the FA Cup, and Liverpool on Good Friday. That was probably our greatest team in terms of a core 15 players. But this current squad? It might be our deepest ever. The rotation options, the level of the players coming in, it’s all there to able to keep them fresh and have no drop off in any competition.
Hopefully another win Thursday and a positive cup result Sunday against Wigan at the Emirates.
Until the next one. UTA.
The View From Block 107 