Raya, Guimaraes Inspire Arsenal to Victory at Sunderland

The defending champions were made to work by a physical Sunderland side, but Raya's crucial penalty save changed the direction of the contest before Guimaraes scored his first Arsenal goal with a superb long-range finish.

Bukayo Saka later converted a stoppage-time penalty after Reinildo Mandava was sent off to secure Arsenal's fourth consecutive league victory and sixth straight win in all competitions.

Mikel Arteta's side created the first major opportunity after 13 minutes.

Declan Rice lifted the ball over Sunderland's defensive line towards Saka, but the winger failed to make clean contact when presented with a promising chance to open the scoring.

Sunderland responded through their set-piece threat.

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka delivered an excellent free-kick towards Dan Ballard, but the defender was unable to steer his effort on target.

Arsenal remained patient in possession and continued probing for openings, although Sunderland's defensive structure frustrated their attacking players.

Kai Havertz wasted an opportunity after Martin Odegaard's cutback in the 31st minute, sending his effort over the bar.

Two minutes later, Havertz came significantly closer.

The Germany international produced an acrobatic attempt that forced goalkeeper Robin Roefs into an excellent save, with the Sunderland goalkeeper tipping the ball over.

Xhaka then made a crucial intervention at the opposite end shortly before half-time, producing a goal-saving clearance as Sunderland ensured the teams went into the interval level.

Arteta reacted at half-time by making two changes.

Jurrien Timber replaced Ben White, while Guimaraes came on for Myles Lewis-Skelly as Arsenal attempted to gain greater control of midfield.

The contest turned dramatically in Sunderland's favour in the 56th minute when Ezri Konsa was penalised for holding Ballard inside the area.

Enzo Le Fee stepped forward with the opportunity to give the hosts the lead.

Raya had other ideas.

The Arsenal goalkeeper read the penalty superbly, diving low to his left and getting a strong hand to Le Fee's effort to push it onto the post.

It was a match-defining intervention.

Only 121 seconds later, Arsenal were ahead.

Rice recognised space outside the Sunderland penalty area and laid the ball into the path of Guimaraes.

The Brazilian, whose every touch had been jeered by the home supporters because of his history with Newcastle United, responded in spectacular fashion.

Guimaraes struck a brilliant effort from outside the box that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and into the net, giving Roefs no chance and putting Arsenal 1-0 ahead.

It was his first goal for the club and arrived at a particularly significant venue given his previous association with Sunderland's north-east rivals.

Guimaraes later described the strike as an important personal moment after overcoming a difficult start to his Arsenal career.

It's unbelievable. I feel very good," he said.

Everyone knows I had a difficult start with injuries in a short time but I'm glad to be back, to play.

I scored a beautiful goal. It's a beautiful moment for me and my family and I'm very happy."

Sunderland refused to surrender and continued applying pressure.

Brian Brobbey caused repeated problems for the Arsenal defence through his strength and hold-up play, while Xhaka remained dangerous with his deliveries.

Nordi Mukiele came close to equalising in the 85th minute after another excellent Xhaka cross.

Mukiele met the delivery from close range, but Raya again produced an outstanding save before recovering quickly to help Arsenal clear the danger.

It was another intervention that underlined the goalkeeper's importance.

Guimaraes was unequivocal afterwards when asked whether he considers Raya the best goalkeeper in world football.

Definitely," he said.

Arsenal continued searching for the second goal that would end Sunderland's resistance.

Saka had an opportunity to settle the contest when he went through one-on-one but failed to convert.

The England international eventually got his goal deep into stoppage time.

Mandava hauled Saka down and received his second yellow card, reducing Sunderland to 10 men and giving Arsenal a late penalty.

Saka stepped forward in the 97th minute and squeezed his spot-kick beyond Roefs to make it 2-0 and secure the points.

The result maintained Arsenal's perfect league record after four matches and moved the champions three points clear of Manchester City before City's derby against Manchester United.

The performance was far from straightforward, with Sunderland registering 12 attempts compared with Arsenal's 11 and repeatedly making the visitors uncomfortable.

However, Arteta's side again demonstrated their ability to survive difficult periods and take advantage of decisive moments.

Raya was central to that success.

His penalty save came with the match still goalless, while his late stop from Mukiele protected Arsenal's narrow advantage.

The Spain international was named player of the match, receiving an average supporter rating of 8.91.

Arteta nevertheless remained angry over the decision to award Sunderland their penalty, insisting Ballard's involvement in the incident meant the call should not have been given.

It's a huge win but it could have been something very different," Arteta said.

I'm so upset. It's unacceptable. This can change the course of a season, the championship, and it's not acceptable."

Regardless of Arteta's frustration, Raya ensured the decision did not cost Arsenal.

Guimaraes then supplied the quality at the other end before Saka finished the job, allowing the champions to leave the Stadium of Light with another three points, another clean sheet and their perfect Premier League start intact.