Raya saves, Bruno scores as Arsenal win at Sunderland

Arsenal kept their unbeaten start to the season with a win away at Sunderland on 12 September 2026. Bruno Guimarães and Bukayo Saka scored the goals that settled a tense Saturday night on Wearside, The Guardian.

For a long spell there was nothing between them. Then the game turned on one penalty box grapple. Sunderland were awarded a second-half penalty after Arsenal's Ezri Konsa wrestled Dan Ballard to the ground.

Enzo Le Fée stepped up for the home side. David Raya read it and saved. The Arsenal goalkeeper held his nerve. The scores stayed level.

Two minutes later, Arsenal led. Guimarães beat Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs to finish. It was a ruthless little sequence. Save at one end, goal at the other.

Guimarães had only just entered the game. Arsenal sent on Guimarães and Jurriën Timber at half-time for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White. The change gave the visitors fresh legs in midfield and defence.

The night stayed feisty. Sunderland's Reinildo was sent off, leaving his team down to ten men for the closing stages. Referee John Brooks also booked Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for leaving his technical area, the marked zone by the dugout where managers have to stay.

Arsenal closed it out in stoppage time, the extra minutes added on for stoppages in play. Saka scored from the penalty spot to make the points safe. No late nerves. Just control.

What makes this stand out is the speed of the swing. Sunderland were seconds from leading. Instead they were behind. Raya's save lifted the whole Arsenal team, and Guimarães finished the job before the home crowd could reset.

The win keeps Arsenal's early momentum going. They had already won 1-0 away at Aston Villa late in August and 1-0 away at Napoli in Europe, according to Arsenal.com match report titles. This was a different test, loud and physical, and they found a way through.