“Boy Did He Shut the Crowd Up” – Keown Hails Bruno After Stunning Arsenal Goal

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·13 September 2026

“Boy Did He Shut the Crowd Up” – Keown Hails Bruno After Stunning Arsenal Goal

Bruno Guimaraes could hardly have chosen a better occasion to score his first Arsenal goal.

The Brazilian came off the bench at half-time during Saturday’s difficult trip to Sunderland and, with the Stadium of Light doing everything possible to make life uncomfortable for the Gunners, produced a stunning strike to put Arsenal ahead.

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Former Gunner Martin Keown believes the moment showed exactly the sort of character Bruno can bring to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Keown impressed by Bruno’s response

Speaking in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory, Keown focused not simply on the quality of the finish but what it said about the midfielder.

As reported by BBC Sport, Keown said:

“That goal is about personality and character.”

He was even more enthusiastic about Bruno silencing a Sunderland crowd that had been giving the former Newcastle midfielder a hostile reception:

“Boy did he shut the crowd up. A class player, going to the next level.”

That probably sums the moment up rather nicely.

Bruno had been booed heavily after entering the game, something hardly surprising given his history with Sunderland’s fierce North-East rivals Newcastle United.

The best possible response was always going to come on the pitch.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Bruno delivered when Arsenal needed something special

The timing was just as significant as the finish.

As we covered in our full match report, Arsenal had endured a hugely difficult start to the second half and David Raya had only just saved Sunderland’s penalty.

Just 121 seconds later, Declan Rice helped create the opportunity and Bruno unleashed a magnificent effort from outside the area.

Arsenal went from being in serious danger of falling behind to suddenly having something to protect.

The penalty itself left Arteta furious after the match, but Raya’s save and Bruno’s immediate response ensured the controversial decision ultimately did not cost the Gunners.

For Bruno personally, though, this was a significant moment.

Arsenal supporters have been waiting to see him truly announce himself in red and white. Scoring your first goal with a strike like that, in that atmosphere, during a match Arsenal were struggling to control, is certainly one way of doing it.

Keown clearly believes there is plenty more to come.

What did you make of Bruno’s performance, Gooners? Could his first Arsenal goal be the moment that really kick-starts his season? Let us know in the comments.

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