Arsenal’s win over Sunderland was crucial, as we saw after Manchester City’s win at Anfield.
It was only in November that Arsenal dropped points to Sunderland, so there was pressure on the Gunners to win the return fixture at the Emirates.
Arsenal did just that, winning 3-0 against the Black Cats to take a statement nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The lead was later reduced because of Man City’s win over Liverpool, but nothing took away from the level of performance Mikel Arteta’s side produced against Sunderland.
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Alan Shearer was so impressed with Arsenal’s squad depth against Sunderland
Arsenal weren’t at their best, but they got the job done in the most professional fashion, which was a statement.
It’s why it’s Arsenal’s title to lose, and why the Gunners are considered to be a level above every other team in the league right now.
So, what makes it possible?
The answer, aside from Arteta’s tactics, is squad depth, which is what Alan Shearer celebrated when Arsenal beat Sunderland.
“If you look, Saka was out, Odegaard was out, yet they’re bringing on Eze, Gyokeres, Martinelli,” Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
His co-host, Gary Lineker, responded, “It’s not bad, is it?”
“It’s unbelievable,” Shearer continued, “so absolutely, their strength is incredible this season and what a position they’re in, what a fantastic position they’re in.”
If Sunderland thought playing Arsenal’s starting XI was tough, then the Black Cats were handed a surprise in the second half when the likes of Gyokeres and Martinelli came on.
Mikel Arteta was elated with Arsenal’s finishers against Sunderland
Substitutes are rarely as good as those who start, but for Arteta, there’s not really a line separating his starters from his second-choice players.
That’s why the Arsenal manager refers to his subs as ‘finishers’, who, like Shearer, he hailed after the Sunderland win.
“We had to take the game to a different level because the game started to get a bit more open, and we brought the finishers in, and they were incredible,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.
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The boss added that his players now realise that there’s more importance in being on the bench than starting.
“I saw their reaction immediately when I gave the line-up in the dressing room, and I looked at Viktor [Gyokeres] and Gabi [Martinelli], they know how important their role is when you come in, and some days it’s going to be even more important than starting the game.
“That’s a key message that we’ve been trying to pass to them.”
Starters, finishers, subs, reserves, Arteta has a plethora of quality in every department, and it might just win Arsenal the title.
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