Raya pulles them out of hell, Bruno launches them straight to paradise

But can they rise to the occasion on a tense Saturday night, facing the fired-up Black Cats and the sting of a conceded penalty? The answer roared back: yes!Arsenal snatched a vital Premier League win at Sunderland (0-2), overcoming a crackling atmosphere in the stands and on the pitch, and meeting their fiercest test as defending champions.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Enzo misses a Penalty for Sunderland <br><br>RAYA is an ELITE KEEPER <br><br>Sunderland 0<br>Arsenal 0 <a href="https://t.co/HMGzws8zj2">pic.twitter.com/HMGzws8zj2</a></p>&mdash; Nuel Olise 𓃵 (@nuelolise) <a href="https://x.com/nuelolise/status/2098868025172558166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##With former Gunner Granit Xhaka at the helm, the hosts delivered gritty, blue-collar football, battling for every inch and determined to show the champions they would not simply play a supporting role. After a tense, scoreless first half, Sunderland's relentless pressure earned them a hotly debated penalty when Ezri Konsa tangled with a Sunderland forward.Le Fee took the spot, but David Raya electrified the stadium with a breathtaking save, shifting the entire course of the match. Suddenly, Arsenal surged forward, reclaiming ground in enemy territory. Just two minutes later, Bruno Guimaraes, the newest Gunner off the bench, unleashed a brilliant strike to beat the keeper and secure the lead, 0-1.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bruno Guimaraes with A BANGER <br><br>WHAT A GOAL <br>WHAT A TECHNIQUE <br><br>GOOOOAAAALLLLLL ⚽<br><br>Sunderland 0<br>Arsenal 1 <a href="https://t.co/CWawdja0CB">pic.twitter.com/CWawdja0CB</a></p>&mdash; Nuel Olise 𓃵 (@nuelolise) <a href="https://x.com/nuelolise/status/2098868591018094958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Refusing to let despair take hold, even as their dream of a first victory over Arsenal in 17 years slipped away with a goal at the other end, the Black Cats pressed on in pursuit of an equaliser. Brian Broby came agonisingly close to scoring, but the brilliant Raya slammed the door shut, determined to keep his net untouched.MORE TO FOLLOW…PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 4SaturdayAston Villa – Nottingham Forest 1-1 (0-0)/Alysson 74 – Delap 46/Bournemouth – Brentford 2-2 (1-1)/Kluivert 38, Tavernier 52 – Schade 34, 56/Chelsea – Hull City 2-2 (1-2)/Rogers 7, Pedro 66 – Belloumi 28,34/Crystal Palace – Ipswich 2-2 (1-2)/Khalaili 14, Strand Larsen 75 – Emersonn 23, Davis 45, Flemming 90/Liverpool – Fulham 0-0Tottenham – Everton 0-0Sunderland – Arsenal 0-2 (0-0)/Guimaraes 58, Saka 90+7/Sunday16.00: (4.20) Coventry (3.50) Brighton (1.88)18.30: (3.15) Manchester United (3.50) Manchester City (2.20)Monday22.00: (2.45) Leeds (3.40) Newcastle (2.85)***odds are subject to change***##SOFASCORE_<iframe id="sofa-standings-embed-1-96668" src="https://widgets.sofascore.com/embed/tournament/1/season/96668/standings?widgetTitle=Premier+League&showCompetitionLogo=true&widgetTheme=light" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width:100%!important; height:1123px!important;max-width:768px!important;"></iframe><div style="font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:left"> Standings provided by <a target="_blank" href="https://sofascore.com/">Sofascore</a> </div>##