Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal: Saka Seals Win After Guimaraes Stunner

Arsenal made it four Premier League wins from four with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Bruno Guimaraes came off the bench at half-time and scored the winner with a brilliant effort from outside the box, just two minutes after David Raya had denied Enzo Le Fée from the penalty spot.

It was another narrow win for Mikel Arteta's side, who were made to work throughout by a Sunderland team that caused problems with their physical approach and direct threat.

Having rotated a number of players for the start of the Champions League campaign, Arteta returned to the same team that started in last Sunday’s win over Chelsea.

Sunderland made an aggressive start giving Arsenal little time to settle into the game. Brian Brobbey provided Sunderland with a physical outlet through the middle, while their willingness to press and compete for second balls stopped the Gunners from establishing their usual control.

Arsenal still created the first major chance.

Declan Rice lifted a pass over the Sunderland defence for Bukayo Saka, who had made his run from the right, but the England winger struggling to make a meaningful effort from the shot, with Robin Roefs making a simple save.

Sunderland continued to carry enough threat of their own to keep Arsenal alert. Xhaka's delivery from a free-kick found Dan Ballard arriving at the back post, although the defender was unable to direct his attempt on target.

The Gunners gradually began finding more space as the half developed.

Gabriel tried his luck from distance before Martin Odegaard created an opening for Kai Havertz, whose first effort went over the bar. The German went much closer shortly afterwards when he controlled another Odegaard delivery inside the area, turning and forcing Roefs into a strong one-handed save.

Sunderland continued to compete aggressively and looked to attack whenever Arsenal lost the ball, ensuring the visitors were never able to completely settle into the game.

Arsenal had created the clearer opportunities by the break but still had work to do, with the score remaining 0-0 after 45 minutes.

The Gunners made two changes at the break, Ben White, who had appeared to pick up a hamstringproblem towards the end of the first half, was replaced by Jurrien Timber on his first return to the Arsenal squad this season, while Guimaraes came on for Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Sunderland started the second half on top and their long throws continued to cause Arsenal problems.

They were handed the chance to take the lead in the 54th minute when Ezri Konsa was penalised for bringing Ballard down as another delivery was sent into the box.

Le Fée stepped up, but Raya got down to his left and pushed the penalty onto the post to keep things level.

The Gunners made the most of that escape almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Guimaraes collected the ball on the edge of the Sunderland area and curled a superb effort beyond Roefs and into the top corner. His first goal for Arsenal coming at the home of his former rivals, where boos from the Sunderland fans continued to ring around.

The Gunners had opportunities to make the final stages more comfortable.

Saka was denied by Roefs after being played into the area by Odegaard, before Havertz headed the resulting corner back across goal, with Dan Ballard clearing from underneath his own crossbar. Arsenal had the ball in the Sunderland net again thanks to a Jurrien Timber header, but the celebrations were immediately met with an offside flag.

Sunderland didn’t back down though. Malick Fofana caused problems after coming off the bench, while Nordi Mukiele sent an acrobatic effort onto the roof of the net as the Gunners dropped deeper to protect their advantage.

Arteta responded by reinforcing with fresh legs. Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino all coming on to help the Gunenrs see out their lead.

The game finally swung decisively in Arsenal’s favour deep into stoppage time. With Sunderland pressing heavily for an equaliser, Guimaraes played Saka through, the winger then brought down by Renildo inside the Sunderland box. The defender subsequently sent off after receiving a second yellow card for the incident.

Saka stepped up to take the penalty, the winger doing just enough to from the spot to double the Gunners lead, despite Roefs getting a hand to it.

It may have added a more comfortable look to a result that had been anything but for much of the night. Arsenal had needed Raya to save Le Fée’s penalty shortly after half-time before Guimaraes produced the moment of quality that changed the game just two minutes later.

It was far from Arsenal's most comfortable performance of the opening weeks of the season, but the Gunners showed the determination needed to leave the Stadium of Light with their perfect start to the Premier League season still intact.