Report: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal (inc. goals)
Arsenal: Raya, White, Gabriel, Konsa, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Tzolis, Havertz.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Timber, Zubimendi, Merino, Guimaraes, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres
Bruno Guimaraes’ first Arsenal goal and a stoppage-time penalty from Bukayo Saka secured a hard-fought 2-0 win at Sunderland, but the result owed plenty to the resilience of the Gunners’ defence and an inspired performance from David Raya.
The Spaniard denied Sunderland the lead with an excellent penalty save from Enzo Le Fee, following Ezri Konsa’s foul on Dan Ballard, then commanded his area superbly as the hosts rained set-pieces and long throws into the box.
Having controlled a scrappy first half through possession, Arsenal were dragged into a frantic battle after the break. They held firm, however, to secure a ninth successive Premier League victory, reaching that figure for the first time since the Invincibles.
First half
A Saturday night at the Stadium of Light always had the hallmarks of a difficult fixture, particularly after the same game produced a frantic 2-2 draw last season. Sunderland are organised, energetic and tenacious under Regis Le Bris, and had no intention of letting Arsenal settle into their usual rhythm.
The home crowd were raucous before kick-off and only grew louder once it became clear their players were up for a fight. The opening exchanges were scrappy, littered with niggly fouls and the occasional kick to an ankle. Arsenal tried to control the game through possession, while Sunderland looked to release Brian Brobbey at the earliest opportunity where he attempted to shield the ball from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel.
The first opening arrived after 13 minutes when Christos Tzolis found Declan Rice, whose diagonal pass picked out Bukayo Saka behind the Sunderland defence. The winger’s touch carried the ball harmlessly into the arms of Robin Roefs when he should have made more of the opportunity.
Sunderland issued a warning three minutes later. Granit Xhaka’s free-kick bypassed Arsenal’s entire defensive line and reached Dan Ballard at the back post, but the defender headed wide.
Arsenal gradually began to move the hosts around, with Saka drifting inside towards Tzolis and Kai Havertz pulling left. Gabriel tried his luck from 25 yards before Reinildo was booked for bringing down Saka on the right.
The visitors’ best spell followed. Riccardo Calafiori fed Tzolis, who spotted Martin Odegaard’s run into the box. His cut-back was fired over by Havertz first time.
Two minutes later, the German tried his luck again, this time pulling down Odegaard’s cross with his chest before unleashing a fierce left foot effort on the turn that forced Roefs into a smart save. Calafiori appealed for a penalty from the resulting corner after tangling with Brobbey, but VAR was unmoved.
For the most part, Sunderland were kept at arm’s length when they ventured forward, although Angulo caused Ben White, who ended the half holding his groin, plenty of problems and Enzo Le Fee dragged a shot wide. After Arteta was booked for straying outside his technical area, Arsenal almost snatched the lead in first half stoppage time only for Xhaka to prevent a Saka header across goal reaching Havertz who was waiting to nod home.
Second half
Arteta made two changes at the break, with Jurrien Timber replacing Ben White and Bruno Guimaraes coming on for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal looked unsettle from the off. A mix-up between David Raya and Gabriel from a Danso long throw presented Dan Ballard with an opening before Sadiki fired over from distance. Another throw caused havoc in the 53rd minute. Raya claimed the ball, but the referee awarded Sunderland a penalty after deciding Ezri Konsa had hauled down Ballard. Both players had hold of each other, but VAR upheld the decision.
Enzo Le Fee stepped up, only for Raya to produce a superb save, tipping the penalty onto the post.
Three minutes later, Arsenal made the most of their reprieve. After the initial attack broke down, Declan Rice found Guimaraes on the edge of the box. The substitute took a touch and rifled an excellent finish into the top corner via the underside of the crossbar – his first goal for the club. The former Newcastle midfielder, greeted as a “fat rat” by one Sunderland supporter before the game, thoroughly enjoyed celebrating in front of the home fans. (GOAL)
The temperature remained close to boiling point. Bukayo Saka tested Robin Roefs before Kai Havertz had an effort cleared off the line by Ballard. Guimaraes then fired narrowly wide, while Timber headed home from Martin Odegaard’s free-kick only to be correctly flagged offside.
Sunderland pushed hard for an equaliser as the game became increasingly frantic. Mukiele sent an acrobatic volley over before Raya produced a superb double save from the defender following Xhaka’s dangerous cross. Several bouts of handbags followed, with Gabriel and Brobbey among those booked.
Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi replaced Tzolis and Rice, while Mikel Merino came on for Odegaard. Eze should have settled matters late on but miskicked over after a swift Arsenal counter.
The decisive moment finally arrived deep into six minutes of stoppage time. Saka raced clear, held off Reinildo and went down under pressure inside the box. The winger took responsibility himself and squeezed the resulting penalty beyond Roefs, who got a hand to the ball but could not prevent Arsenal completing a hard-earned 2-0 win. (GOAL)
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