Raya Saves Penalty as Guimaraes Scores First Arsenal Goal in Sunderland Win
Arsenal moved three points clear at the Premier League summit after David Raya’s penalty save and Bruno Guimarães’ first goal for the club set up a 2-0 win at Sunderland.
Key takeaways
- Raya pushed Enzo Le Fée’s 56th-minute penalty onto the post after Ezri Konsa fouled Dan Ballard.
- Guimarães struck 122 seconds after the spot-kick escape, scoring soon after his half-time introduction.
- Bukayo Saka won a late penalty, with Reinildo Mandava dismissed for a second booking, then converted despite Robin Roefs getting a hand to the ball.
- Ben White was forced off at the interval with a groin problem.
- Arsenal remain perfect in every competition this season ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Raya rescue sparks Arsenal response
Arsenal had to withstand a difficult Sunderland spell before taking control. Konsa brought down Ballard in the area, but Raya reacted sharply to keep out Le Fée’s low effort, diverting it against the upright.
The visitors immediately punished Sunderland’s miss. Guimarães, jeered by the home support because of his Newcastle background, came on for Myles Lewis-Skelly at half-time and produced a superb finish just over two minutes after Raya’s save. The Brazilian also curled another effort wide as Arsenal gained more authority in midfield.
Sunderland had encouraged themselves during an uneven first half, while Arsenal missed opportunities through Saka and Kai Havertz. Declan Rice released Saka with an incisive pass, but the winger failed to make the most of it and later saw another attempt saved. Havertz was denied by Roefs, had an effort cleared off the line by Ballard and chose a pass when a shot was available.
Martin Odegaard drove Arsenal’s pressing and created openings, including a cutback for Havertz and a delivery which led to Jurriën Timber heading home from a free-kick. That goal was ruled out for offside.
Timber had replaced the injured White and helped contain Nilson Angulo, while Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori and Konsa stood up to Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey. Konsa had earlier made a vital sliding intervention to stop Brobbey breaking through, despite his costly foul for the penalty.
Late flashpoint seals clean sheet
The contest became heated late on. Gabriel was booked after a confrontation between the sides, Konsa was involved in further friction, and Havertz received a yellow card for a late challenge on Nordi Mukiele.
Saka then made the result secure in the closing seconds. He drew the foul that brought Mandava’s second yellow card before taking the penalty himself and squeezing it beyond Roefs.
Raya’s work had extended beyond the penalty stop. He recovered from an early misunderstanding with Gabriel, saved from Mukiele and then denied the defender again after the rebound. Gabriel also blocked a Mukiele attempt and later prevented Sunderland from directing a late header on target.
Arteta was booked in the first half for leaving his technical area, but his interval changes proved decisive: Timber entered for White and Guimarães replaced Lewis-Skelly. Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were introduced late as Arsenal saw out another clean sheet.
