Sunderland v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League champions continue unbeaten start thanks to Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka | OneFootball

Bruno put Arsenal in front (PA)

Bruno Guimaraes was sprung from the bench to set Arsenal on their way to a battling 2-0 win away to Sunderland, with Bukayo Saka adding a penalty deep in added time to ensure the champions' 100% start to the season continues.

The half-time substitute Guimaraes, formerly of Newcastle United, drove a right-footed attempt in off the bar before cupping his ears in front of the home fans.

Guimaraes' goal arrived moments after David Raya had saved Enzo Le Fee's penalty kick, following a foul by Ezri Konsa on Dan Ballard.

Raya also produced a brilliant late save to deny Nordi Mukiele from close range as Mikel Arteta, who was booked in the first half for stepping out of his technical area, saw his team bag a late second when Saka was fouled in the box and converted his own spot kick.

How Bruno Guimaraes silenced Sunderland to help Arsenal continue perfect start

Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka helped maintain Arsenal’s perfect start in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Following a controlled first half, the Gunners were handed a scare 11 minutes after the restart when the hosts were awarded a penalty, but David Raya made a brilliant save to palm Enzo Le Fee’s spot-kick against the left post.

A dramatic twist saw Arsenal lead just two minutes later through a fantastic top-corner finish from Guimaraes, his first goal since joining in the summer from Sunderland’s bitter rivals Newcastle.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 September 2026 23:59

Raya discusses penalty stop

“It's a big moment, you know, trying to, especially now away from home, and they were a little bit on top of us,” he tells TNT. “I think that save made the players and the team to have that faith to keep going and win the game, which we did, and two minutes later we scored the goal, a wonderful goal from Bruno.

“But even if we conceded that goal, I think we had that faith to get back to the game. So obviously important to keep the clean sheet because that helped us to win games and important to save the penalty as well.”

Keown says Arsenal depth was the difference

The former defender, working as a pundit for TNT Sports, said: "Yes, of course it's early in the season, but Bruno Guimaraes has had limited involvement up to now. But what a way to announce yourself to the Arsenal away fans.

“Incredible strike, he must have heard the boos all around this stadium and boy did that shut the crowd up. I mean, what a hit that was, an incredible strike, a class player, it's going to the next level and in these moments it's the squad we talked about.

“You look to the bench, it just looked like it could be his moment, he came in and he made the difference."

Alan Smith12 September 2026 23:00

Arteta fumes over penalty call

“I’m so upset,” he tells TNT Sports. “It’s unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season. The championship, it’s unacceptable. I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live and I said ‘it’s not possible at this level it’s going to be a penalty.’

“It’s a judo roll, that’s what it is. It cannot happen. I’ve been in football for almost 28 years, it’s not a penalty in any case, in any game, in any context, in any league.”

Alan Smith12 September 2026 22:40

Gunners hold firm

Alan Smith12 September 2026 22:06

FULL-TIME! Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

That’s our lot. The Gunners retain their 100% record but this was not an easy win and it was not pretty at all. Sunderland did well for long spells but David Raya was exceptional in the visiting goal.

(Getty)

Alan Smith12 September 2026 21:56