Arsenal maintained their perfect record across all competitions this season with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League.
It took heroics from David Raya to keep the game goalless in the 56th minute, as he got down superbly to tip Enzo Le Fée‘s penalty onto the post after Ezri Konsa had pulled down Dan Ballard. Just two minutes and two seconds later, Bruno Guimarães produced an outstanding strike to open the scoring having been the pantomime villain off the bench given his time at Sunderland rivals Newcastle prior to joining the Gunners.
A bit of gloss was added to the scoreline in the final seconds, when Bukayo Saka won a penalty that earned Reinildo Mandava his second yellow card and then snuck it past Robin Roefs.
The victory takes Arsenal three points clear at the top of the table before Sunday’s Manchester Derby.
Positives
The biggest positive of all will be that the Gunners emerged from a testing night at a testing stadium with their perfect record intact, especially in keeping a clean sheet amid such a heated ending. Guimaraes scoring his first goal for the club is also a massive positive for Mikel Arteta, as well as the Brazilian’s overall impact in midfield. He can also be pleased with the way his team passed the ball at times and the way his defenders stood up to the battle with Brian Brobbey.
There was also yet another sign that Raya can be relied upon in the big moments.
Negatives
The main concern will be Ben White going off injured at half time. Outside of that, it will be concerning to see how the penalty was conceded by Konsa given Arsenal’s reputation with set-pieces, even if it wasn’t consequential in this game as Raya saving the penalty and the Gunners then scored twice. There was a wastefulness in front of goal from the Gunners at times and they allowed Sunderland to gain encouragement at times during the first half.
Manager rating out of 10
Mikel Arteta, 8 — Was booked for going out of his technical area in the first half, potentially offering a sign of frustration, but he responded to the setback of White’s injury well and was ruthless in bringing Guimaraes on for Myles Lewis-Skelly ahead of the restart to help his side win.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK David Raya, 9 — Collected high balls well, aside from one mix-up with Gabriel Magalhães, and did superbly to tip Le Fee’s penalty onto the post. He also stopped Nordi Mukiele‘s shot and did well to bounce back up to deny him again.
DF Ben White, 6 — Got into some brilliant attacking positions but couldn’t quite find the final pass, and also had a couple of shaky moments with Nilson Angulo getting the better of him on one particular occasion. Whistled for a bizarre handball and went off at half time due to a groin injury.
DF Ezri Konsa, 6 — Largely did well to deal with Brian Brobbey, notably sliding to stop a potential run through on goal, although there were occasions where the Dutchman stretched him. Overstepped the mark by pulling Dan Ballard down for a penalty, but did well to block Mukiele’s backheel. Was involved in heated moments towards the end.
DF Gabriel Maglhaes, 8 — Came close with an ambitious shot from range and did well to block Mukiele’s shot. Made a block to recover from his mix-up with Raya and competed well throughout. Was booked after an argument between the two sets of players, but then rose well to ensure Sunderland couldn’t get a late header on target.
DF Riccardo Calafiori, 7 — Was strong defensively and had some promising moments going forward, seeing a shot blocked.
MF Declan Rice, 8 — Saw a lot of the ball and played a wonderful pass through for Saka’s chance. He also took up good defensive positions and made important interventions.
MF Myles Lewis-Skelly, 5 — Had a few sloppy moments on the ball and was taken off at half time.
MF Bukayo Saka, 7 — Should have done a lot better with Rice’s ball and saw a shot from a promising position saved, but he kept going and won the penalty before converting it despite Roefs getting a touch on the ball.
MF Martin Odegaard, 8 — Arsenal’s captain seemed to be everywhere. He got on the ball and provided neat play like his cutback for Kai Havertz‘s chance and pass to Saka, while also pressing brilliantly. Was unlucky that Jurriën Timber‘s goal was ruled out for offside after his pinpoint free-kick delivery.
MF Christos Tzolis, 5 — Played a nice reverse pass to Odegaard for Havertz’s chance, but outside of that he looked weak and ineffective for much of the first half. Improved in the second period and made a good tackle to atone for his own error.
FW Kai Havertz, 6 — Put in some good work for the team, but wasted a good opportunity in front of goal and tried a cutback when he could have taken a shot. Was slightly unlucky to see an instinctive attempt tipped over and was then denied by a brilliant Ballard clearance off the line. Was booked for a late foul on Mukiele in the corner.
Substitutes
DF Jurrien Timber, 7 (on for White, 46″) — Did a great job of dealing with Angulo. Scored a header, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
MF Bruno Guimaraes, 8 (on for Lewis-Skelly, 46″) — Was relentlessly booed by the home fans after entering at half time, but silenced them with an outrageous strike to decide the match. Curled another attempt wide, but brought extra authority to Arsenal’s midfield.
FW Eberechi Eze, N/R (on for Tzolis, 81″) — Contributed little, sending one mis-kicked cross behind for a Sunderland goal kick.
MF Martín Zubimendi, N/R (on for Rice, 81″) — Did well to slow down Sunderland on a couple of occasions.
MF Mikel Merino, N/R (on for Odegaard, 85″) — Didn’t to much in limited minutes, though had one moment where he was unable to keep the ball in a potentially promising position.
