Raya saves penalty as Arsenal maintain perfect start with win at Sunderland
Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season after two moments of brilliance from David Raya and Bruno Guimaraes set them on course for victory at Sunderland according to BBC Sport.
On 55 minutes, Gunners defender Ezri Konsa was penalised for pulling down Dan Ballard in the box, but goalkeeper Raya read Enzo le Fee’s penalty with a superb save low to his left.
And its true significance was not revealed until 121 seconds later, when midfielder Guimaraes – brought on as a half-time substitute – brilliantly curled home the opener off the bar from 20 yards out.
It was the summer signing’s first Arsenal goal and had added meaning as it came against Sunderland – the arch-rivals of his former club Newcastle United.
The win was sealed in the final seconds as Bukayo Saka slotted home a penalty after being fouled by Reinildo Mandava, who was given a second yellow card and sent off.
By finding a way to succeed once again, Mikel Arteta’s men extended their 100% start to the season with six wins from six in all competitions, including four in the Premier League to put them top of the table.
Despite dominating possession with 66% of the ball in the first half, Arsenal had, until that point, their chances severely limited by Regis le Bris’ disciplined Sunderland side.
Their best chances before the break included a Kai Havertz effort that flew over from six yards, before the German striker had a volley tipped over by home keeper Robin Roefs soon after.
Arsenal came close to a second before the late penalty when Ballard brilliantly cleared off the line to deny Havertz, while Jurrien Timber found the net but his header was ruled offside.
Sunderland have four points from as many league games to leave them 14th in the standings.
Arsenal analysis: Raya proves worth with crucial contribution
Arsenal’s first-half frustration was encapsulated in manager Arteta being booked shortly before the break for leaving his technical area too many times.
They had been nullified by Sunderland at that point, with attacking metronome Martin Odegaard kept quiet by their former player Granit Xhaka.
Greece winger Christos Tzolis continued his inconsistent start to the season, more reminiscent here of his toothless showing against Aston Villa rather than the productive display at home to Chelsea.
Konsa, even before giving away the penalty, struggled to deal with Sunderland’s direct attacking approach and the physicality of striker Brian Brobbey. And there was further concern at the back when Ben White went off injured at half-time.
But in a game where their attacking talent largely failed to sparkle, Arsenal could rely on their quality at the other end of the pitch as Raya showed his value.
The Spaniard kept his fifth clean sheet in six games this term, and marshalled a defence that has only conceded nine shots on target in the league so far – the lowest in the division.
Raya was also called into action late on to palm away a Xhaka cross that caused danger as Sunderland packed the box looking for a leveller.
As a result Arsenal have won each of their first four games in a top-flight season for the sixth time in their history, last doing so in 2022-23.