Arsenal are making serious noise this season — not just playing fast football, but doing it with purpose, balance, and depth that few teams in Europe can match right now. What’s remarkable is how effective this attack has become even amid injury issues and rotation.
A Statement Win to Cap It Off
On 7 February 2026, Arsenal delivered a commanding 3–0 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, extending their lead atop the Premier League to nine points — and doing so with clarity and control. Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring with a thunderous long-range strike before substitute Viktor Gyökeres scored twice after coming off the bench. Arsenal dominated from the outset, created early chances, and turned depth into impact — exactly what title contenders do.
This result wasn’t just a win; it was a statement — showing Arsenal’s ability to break teams down with a layered attack, and finish games with confidence.
The Attacking Core: Roles, Strengths, and Synergy
Arsenal’s attack isn’t a one-man show — it’s a multi-headed threat:
▶ Viktor Gyökeres — The Reference Striker
Gyökeres is Arsenal’s go-to goal threat right now. His timing, movement between defenders, and finishing instincts have made him hard to contain. Coming off the bench against Sunderland, he scored twice in quick succession, proving his role as a game-changer. His aerial ability and penalty area hunger give Arsenal a reliable focal point.
▶ Kai Havertz — The Intelligent Arriver
Havertz isn’t just a scorer, he’s a space-creator. His late runs into the box disrupt defensive lines and his technical control helps Arsenal unlock stubborn defences. He scored the decisive injury-time goal that sent Arsenal through to the League Cup final against Chelsea — showing his knack for high-pressure moments.
▶ Gabriel Jesus — Creativity & Movement
Jesus’s ability to drop deep, link play, and drift across the final third makes Arsenal’s attack unpredictable. He may not always start, but when he’s involved, his movement instantly creates opportunities for teammates — helping Arsenal build attacks that spread defenders and open gaps for runners.
▶ Gabriel Martinelli — The Pacer
Martinelli’s pace and direct approach break lines and give Arsenal vertical threat. He creates space wide, drags defenders out, and offers dynamic options for cut-backs and quick transitions.
▶ Supporting Creators
Players like Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, and Leandro Trossard add variety — whether through creativity, pressing intensity, or key assists from midfield and wide positions. Midfielder Martín Zubimendi also adds an unexpected scoring edge from deep — giving Arsenal goals from more than just the forward line.
Defence That Gives Confidence
Goals go in because the defence holds strong first. Arsenal’s back line has been a foundation for this offensive growth:
- David Raya provides safe hands and calm distribution.
- Centre-backs such as William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori (who can also contribute goals himself) anchor the defence and let the attacking players push forward without fear.
Their discipline allowed Arsenal to beat Chelsea in the League Cup semis — a tight tie where tactical restraint and timing mattered more than flashy attacking stats.
Handling Injuries While Still Dominating
What makes Arsenal’s surge impressive is how they’ve copied with injuries — rather than being derailed by them. Earlier in the campaign, key attackers like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz (earlier), and Gabriel Jesus were all sidelined with various injuries, forcing Arteta to innovate and rotate. Despite that, the Gunners kept pushing results.
That depth — with players stepping up when others are absent — shows structure over reliance on individuals.
Why Arsenal’s Attack Is Even Scarier Now
- Multi-dimensional: Threats from striker (Gyökeres), midfield runners (Havertz, Zubimendi), wide breakers (Martinelli, Eze).
- Impact Substitutes: Players like Gyökeres can change games instantly.
- Tactical Flexibility: Arteta can adjust roles and still keep high output.
- Depth Through Adaptation: Even with injuries, goals keep coming.
In the Sunderland win, this complete approach paid off. Arsenal didn’t just win — they controlled the game from start to finish, scoring from distance, exploiting late runs, and showing fluidity in attack with well-timed attacking transitions.
What This Means for the Title Race
This Arsenal side isn’t just scoring — it’s versatile, balanced, and able to win in different ways. Whether it’s through disciplined defence, midfield goals, or intelligent attacking movements, they are structurally built to both create and finish chances consistently.
With performances like the Sunderland victory and their League Cup final berth courtesy of Havertz’s late goal, Arsenal are serious contenders — not just on paper, but in how they actually play this season.