Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his team’s nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League means nothing. The Gunners are at the top of the standings with 56 points after 25 matches, currently eight ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

Arteta’s team registered a comprehensive 3-0 win against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Martín Zubimendi scored the opening goal in the 42nd minute whereas substitute Viktor Gyökeres scored a brace in the second half.

Arteta said the main focus is to win the Premier League and they still need to win a lot of games to achieve their main target.

But asked what the gap meant at this stage of the season, Arteta replied: “Nothing.

“We still have to win so many games to achieve what we want, so let’s not focus on that, that’s something else, we’ve done our job now, we’ve had what we have to do, assess that, try to improve it and get ready for Brentford [on Thursday].”

Meanwhile, the Spaniard showered praise on Viktor Gyökeres, who has scored 13 goals for the club across all competitions since his move Sporting Lisbon.

“[He is] the type of character that we expected,” Arteta said of Gyökeres. “And obviously, when you put that shirt on, it comes with a lot of responsibility and huge expectations. And you need to live with that.

“In your journey here, you’re going to have moments where it goes really well and others where it’s going to be tough.

“But I love his character, the way he approaches every single day and the fact that he’s so focused on the present, what he has to do and he has a genuine will to help the team in whatever role he has.

“For me, what really makes a difference is the consistency that he shows every single day, to practise, to train, to understand better his teammates, his relationships, to speak up and demand the kind of movement, the kind of balls and deliveries that he wants as well.”

Arsenal will next take on Brentford on Thursday.