Mikel Arteta hailed Viktor Gyokeres’ impressive performance after scoring twice in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Sunderland, propelling the Gunners to the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Viktor Gyokeres has taken his game to the “highest level” after the striker scored twice in a 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.
Making an impact.
A two-goal salvo from Viktor earns him your Player of the Match vote 🗳️ pic.twitter.com/LySoeNnQKv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 7, 2026
Gyokeres’ impressive performance helped Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points.
The Sweden international came off the bench to score two crucial goals, lashing home a shot from Kai Havertz’s pass and slotting into an empty net in stoppage time after Gabriel Martinelli’s assist. This brings his tally to 13 goals in all competitions, including six in his last eight appearances.
Gyokeres has struggled to replicate his prolific form at Sporting Lisbon, which earned him a £64 million move to Arsenal. However, Arteta is confident that his top scorer is finding his feet. “Confidence is the magic word. 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,” Arteta said.
The Spaniard praised Gyokeres’ character and work ethic, saying, “We 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.”
Arteta also acknowledged the pressure on Gyokeres, stating, “Obviously, when you put that shirt on, there is a lot of responsibility and huge expectation, and you need to live with that”.
🗞 Team performance
🗞 Gyokeres’ goal contributions
🗞 Zubi’s intuition and qualityRead every word from Arteta’s post-Sunderland presser 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 7, 2026
The win marks Arsenal’s fourth consecutive win in all competitions, and they will look to extend this streak when they face Brentford on Thursday
Manchester City can reduce the gap at the top back to six points on Sunday, but will need to secure their first win away to Liverpool in front of a crowd since 2003 to do so.
Arteta will be watching the clash, but insists Arsenal still have plenty of work to do to deliver a long-awaited title.
