David Raya's penalty save and a stunning goal from former Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes proved crucial as Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Mikel Arteta's defending champions were given their sternest test of the Premier League season to date on Saturday, but they battled to a fourth straight win to start 2026-27.

It was Guimaraes who made the breakthrough with a curling strike into the top-right corner in the 58th minute, only 121 seconds after Raya had brilliantly turned Enzo Le Fee's spot-kick against the post.

And though Sunderland pressed hard for an equaliser, another penalty at the opposite end – which also brought a second yellow card for Reinildo Mandava – allowed Bukayo Saka to make the result safe in stoppage time.

Much of Arsenal's play in the first half was in front of Sunderland, who saw Dan Ballard bundle wide from Granit Xhaka's pinpoint free-kick delivery in the 16th minute.

But the two best chances of the first half fell to Kai Havertz. He should arguably have done better from the first, firing over the crossbar from Martin Odegaard's cutback, though he generated the second himself by holding the ball up and lashing towards goal on the turn – only a flying, fingertip save from Robin Roefs denied him.

Sunderland then had a bright spell, with Brian Brobbey's power giving Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes issues, and Arteta's frustration was capped when he received a yellow card for entering the hosts' technical area – his first in the Premier League since January (versus Liverpool).

Referee John Brooks did not endear himself to Arsenal early in the second half, either, as he ordered Gabriel to leave the field for a minute after he went down following a coming-together, then awarded the hosts a penalty for Konsa needlessly wrestling Ballard down from a long throw.

Although Le Fee's spot-kick was well-placed, Raya guessed correctly, diving to his left to turn the ball onto his post, and that moment soon looked even more important.

Half-time substitute Guimaraes had few options when he picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, but he silenced the Sunderland jeers with a pinpoint strike into the top-right corner, before cupping his ears in front of the home supporters.

A heroic Ballard clearance and a poorly advised pass from Havertz – who had a clear sight of goal – kept Sunderland in the contest at 1-0, and they had several chances to draw level. Nordi Mukiele was their surprise attacking threat, sending an acrobatic effort onto the roof of the net, then being thwarted by Raya from another excellent Xhaka delivery.

But Saka had the final word seven minutes into added time, squeezing his spot-kick past Roefs after Reinildo had felled him at the end of a brisk counter-attack, with the Sunderland defender also receiving his marching orders to cap a chaotic, feisty finish. 

Arsenal pass toughest test yet

Arsenal's 2025-26 title success was built on hard-fought wins, and victories do not come much grittier than this one.

The Gunners had fewer shots (11 to 12) and only just edged the expected goals battle (1.97 to 1.64) in a feral atmosphere on Wearside, but they emerged unscathed.

And, as is so often the case, it was their defensive contributors that led the way.

Sunderland were not shy about playing direct, but Arsenal won 15 of the 17 aerial duels they contested in their own half, including every single one inside their own penalty area.

And the key moment came from Raya, whose penalty save was timed at 55:40. At 57:41, Guimaraes was cupping his ears in front of the supporters he used to face in the black and white of Newcastle. 

Raya's penalty save was the first of this Premier League season overall, and just his second in the competition, having last kept out a spot-kick against West Ham in December 2023.