Arsenal’s perfect Premier League start survived its most uncomfortable examination yet as Mikel Arteta’s side escaped the Stadium of Light with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
Six games, six wins and 18 points represents an immaculate opening to the campaign, although the scoreline told only part of the story. Sunderland made Arsenal work for almost everything, creating the sort of evening where momentum seemed capable of changing with one tackle, one mistake or one save.
Ultimately, Arsenal found their decisive moments. David Raya provided the first, Bruno Guimarães supplied the second.
Raya Turns Sunderland Momentum
Sunderland approached the game with aggression and little interest in allowing Arsenal to settle into their familiar rhythm.
The first half was largely short on clear chances, but the contest changed dramatically after the interval. Sunderland were handed their opportunity when Ezri Konsa brought down Dan Ballard inside the penalty area.
Enzo Le Fée stepped forward in the 56th minute with the chance to put Sunderland ahead.
Raya had other ideas.
The Arsenal goalkeeper read the penalty superbly, diving across his goal and getting enough behind the effort to preserve parity. It was the sort of intervention that can alter the direction of an entire match.
Two minutes later, it had.
Guimarães Delivers Arsenal Breakthrough
Introduced at half-time, Bruno Guimarães needed only 13 minutes to produce his first Arsenal goal.
It was worth waiting for.
Given space around 25 yards from goal, Guimarães shaped his body and curled an outstanding finish beyond the goalkeeper. Arsenal had spent much of the evening trying to establish control, and suddenly they possessed the one thing Sunderland had fought so hard to deny them, a lead.
Declan Rice remained hugely influential through midfield, covering ground relentlessly while also supplying the assist for Guimarães.
Martin Ødegaard offered Arsenal’s most consistent source of invention, although several…
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