Sunderland v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League champions continue unbeaten start thanks to Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka

Bruno Guimaraes was sprung from the bench to set Arsenal on their way to a battling 2-0 win away to Sunderland, with Bukayo Saka adding a penalty deep in added time to ensure the champions' 100% start to the season continues.

The half-time substitute Guimaraes, formerly of Newcastle United, drove a right-footed attempt in off the bar before cupping his ears in front of the home fans.

Guimaraes' goal arrived moments after David Raya had saved Enzo Le Fee's penalty kick, following a foul by Ezri Konsa on Dan Ballard.

Raya also produced a brilliant late save to deny Nordi Mukiele from close range as Mikel Arteta, who was booked in the first half for stepping out of his technical area, saw his team bag a late second when Saka was fouled in the box and converted his own spot kick.

Follow all of the reaction from the Stadium of Light below:

Read More

How Bruno Guimaraes silenced Sunderland to help Arsenal continue perfect start

Mikel Arteta responds to Gabriel Jesus criticism over Arsenal exit treatment

Mikel Arteta fumes over Sunderland penalty in Arsenal win: ‘Absolutely unacceptable’

Sunderland v Arsenal LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 to continue perfect Premier League start
• GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal (Bruno Guimaraes, 58)
• GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal (Saka 97pen)
• FT: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal
• Mikel Arteta fumes over penalty decision after Arsenal win

How Bruno Guimaraes silenced Sunderland to help Arsenal continue perfect start

23:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka helped maintain Arsenal’s perfect start in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Following a controlled first half, the Gunners were handed a scare 11 minutes after the restart when the hosts were awarded a penalty, but David Raya made a brilliant save to palm Enzo Le Fee’s spot-kick against the left post.

A dramatic twist saw Arsenal lead just two minutes later through a fantastic top-corner finish from Guimaraes, his first goal since joining in the summer from Sunderland’s bitter rivals Newcastle.

How Bruno Guimaraes silenced Sunderland to help Arsenal continue perfect start

Raya discusses penalty stop

23:40 , Alan Smith

“It's a big moment, you know, trying to, especially now away from home, and they were a little bit on top of us,” he tells TNT. “I think that save made the players and the team to have that faith to keep going and win the game, which we did, and two minutes later we scored the goal, a wonderful goal from Bruno.

“But even if we conceded that goal, I think we had that faith to get back to the game. So obviously important to keep the clean sheet because that helped us to win games and important to save the penalty as well.”

Aerial dominance

23:20 , Alan Smith

Arsenal won 15 out of 17 aerial duels in their own half vs Sunderland, including every single one inside their own penalty area. pic.twitter.com/x6kIh1Rkmj

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 12, 2026

Keown says Arsenal depth was the difference

23:00 , Alan Smith

The former defender, working as a pundit for TNT Sports, said: "Yes, of course it's early in the season, but Bruno Guimaraes has had limited involvement up to now. But what a way to announce yourself to the Arsenal away fans.

“Incredible strike, he must have heard the boos all around this stadium and boy did that shut the crowd up. I mean, what a hit that was, an incredible strike, a class player, it's going to the next level and in these moments it's the squad we talked about.

“You look to the bench, it just looked like it could be his moment, he came in and he made the difference."

Arteta fumes over penalty call

22:40 , Alan Smith

“I’m so upset,” he tells TNT Sports. “It’s unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season. The championship, it’s unacceptable. I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live and I said ‘it’s not possible at this level it’s going to be a penalty.’

“It’s a judo roll, that’s what it is. It cannot happen. I’ve been in football for almost 28 years, it’s not a penalty in any case, in any game, in any context, in any league.”

Bruno hails 'beautiful goal'

22:20 , Alan Smith

“Beautiful goal and a very good place,” the former Newcastle man tells TNT Sports. “Everyone knows my past, I had an amazing history at Newcastle, but now I'm trying to create a new history here and I start with the right foot.”

Gunners hold firm

22:06 , Alan Smith

It's all over and Arsenal record an extremely hard-fought win at the Stadium of Light.

They were really tested there but held firm incredibly impressively. pic.twitter.com/tSNDs533Z8

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 12, 2026

FULL-TIME! Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

21:56 , Alan Smith

That’s our lot. The Gunners retain their 100% record but this was not an easy win and it was not pretty at all. Sunderland did well for long spells but David Raya was exceptional in the visiting goal.

GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal (Saka 97pen)

21:55 , Alan Smith

Saka tucks it into the bottom right corner. Roefs goes the right way but can’t reach it.

Penalty Arsenal! Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:53 , Alan Smith

96’ - On the counterattack Saka is dragged down by Reinildo. It’s an obvious penalty and he is shown a second yellow to compound the misery.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:52 , Alan Smith

94’ - Another minute passes by and Arsenal appear well set to seal another 1-0 win. Brobbey sees a header under pressure easily saved by Raya.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:50 , Alan Smith

93’ - Havertz is booked for slowing down Roefs from taking a quick free kick. Not much football being played right now.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:49 , Alan Smith

90’ - There will be six added minutes. Konsa and Xhaka are still shouting angrily at each other.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:48 , Alan Smith

90’ - Precious seconds tick away as both sets of players square up to each other after much ado about nothing. Gabriel and Mukiele are both booked.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:44 , Alan Smith

87’ - Eze mishits a cross out of play from a promising area. It’s beginning to get a bit anxious.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:42 , Alan Smith

84’ - Brilliant save from Raya! Xhaka sends another teasing cross in, Mukiele gets on the end of it three yards from goal and Raya reacts brilliantly to keep it out.

Odegaard replaces Merino for Arsenal’s final change.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:40 , Alan Smith

83’ - Mukiele lands an acrobatic attempt on to the roof of the Arsenal net. We’re in for a tense conclusion here.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:39 , Alan Smith

82’ - A double Arsenal change as Eze and Zubimendi are on for Tzolis and Rice.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:38 , Alan Smith

80’ - Brobbey pushes Gabriel down after an exchange of words. The Sunderland forward is booked and the Arsenal defender is down like he has been severely injured when the only thing hurt is pride.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:35 , Alan Smith

78’ - Timber thinks he has scored after converting an Odegaard set piece, heading past Roefs, but he is offside and it will not count.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:35 , Alan Smith

77’ - Fofana is straight on the ball, sending in a cross from the left that causes moments of panic inside the Arsenal box. Mukiele tries a backheel among the ping pong but it is cleared away.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:33 , Alan Smith

75’ - It’s not a handball at all. It’s Ballard’s head that stops it from becoming 2-0.

Bruno then has a crack, firing off target, before Fofana replaces Meunier.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:32 , Alan Smith

74’ - Roefs denies Saka again. This one is a lovely flowing move - we’ve not seen many this evening - as Tzolis finds Odegaard and he works it right to Saka. The safe is decent but Arsenal have a corner...

and that ends with Ballard hooking away. VAR is seeing if he used his hand.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:29 , Alan Smith

72’ - Saka has an effort from range deflected into Roefs hands.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:26 , Alan Smith

69’ - Xhaka slides in late on Bruno and gets himself a yellow card.

A home change as Angulo is replaced by Isidor.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:26 , Alan Smith

67’ - Havertz should have Arsenal 2-0 ahead but his willingness to pass instead of shooting himself means the opportunity is wasted. Saka sends him through and with team-mates to his right he seeks to create rather than attempt to finish. It’s a let off for the hosts, who now look second best in most areas.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:24 , Alan Smith

66’ - Arsenal are controlling the game now. Sunderland may change things up soon.

Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

21:21 , Alan Smith

63’ - Rice has a little kick at Brobbey, conceding a free kick. Xhaka sends the ball in from deep and Arsenal clear after a bit of ping pong. There is a VAR check for handball but it’s completed quickly and play continues.

GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal (Bruno Guimaraes, 58)

21:16 , Alan Smith

And moments later the Gunners are in front thanks to the former Newcastle midfielder!

It’s a stunner too. Rice slides to the Brazilian about 22 yards from goal and he crashes a right-footed effort in off the crossbar.

He cups his ears in front of the home fans as he celebrates.

Penalty missed! Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

21:14 , Alan Smith

56’ - Le Fee takes the ball, places it on the spot and looks as chilled as can be in the circumstances while Raya looks to stall and make him rethink.

Le Fee places his effort on target but Raya gets down brilliantly to save on the bottom right corner. The VAR checks to see if Raya is off his line before the spot kick is taken but he is not and we remain scoreless.

Penalty Sunderland! Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

21:11 , Alan Smith

53’ - Gabriel is back on and his first task will be to defend a set piece from Sunderland’s left. Danso’s long throw is collected by Raya but the referee sees that Konsa has fouled Ballard and points to the spot.

VAR will check but this looks like it will stand.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

21:09 , Alan Smith

51’ - Gabriel is down and telling the referee he has been elbowed by Ballard. There’s nothing deliberate and VAR sees little wrong. But the Arsenal defender is furious as he heads off for his one minute of inaction after play stops for him to be treated.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

21:05 , Alan Smith

48’ - Sunderland are putting Arsenal under pressure early in this second half. Brobbey gets the better of Konsa, while Sadiki has a go from range.

Restarted! Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

21:03 , Alan Smith

46’ - We’re back in action. The hosts restart.

Two changes

21:02 , Alan Smith

A double change at the break for Arsenal. Timber is on for White, and much to the jeers of the home support, Bruno is in for Lewis-Skelly.

20:56 , Alan Smith

Goalless at the break at Sunderland, where Arsenal have had the better chances but the hosts have still carried some threat. pic.twitter.com/YRjp0V0E4w

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 12, 2026

HALF-TIME! Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:47 , Alan Smith

It should be a corner. Instead referee Brooks whistles for the break.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:46 , Alan Smith

46’ - Ballard clatters into Havertz, it’s a free kick and nothing more just inside the Sunderland half. Raya takes it short to Rice, who then works the ball out to the left. Tzolis crosses deep for Saka to nod back across goal. And as Havertz is close to heading home, Xhaka flicks the ball away.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:45 , Alan Smith

45’ - There will be one added minute. White looks like he has been injured - somewhere in the upper left leg - and Timber is getting ready. The change might not be made until the break.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:44 , Alan Smith

43’ - Xhaka’s delivery is headed out for another corner by Havertz. The second one is punched away by Raya but Sunderland come again and Le Fee sends a low shot about two yards wide. Raya would have had it covered.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:43 , Alan Smith

42’ - Angulo wins the ball from a dawdling White and dribbles into the box. White recovers quickly and then puts a foot in front of the Sunderland player to try and intercept. VAR is checking for a penalty ... but there’s not enough to warrant a foul and Sunderland will have a corner.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:39 , Alan Smith

39’ - Arteta is booked for repeatedly stepping out of the technical area. The home fans cheer. But the Arsenal manager makes a box-ticking hand gesture towards the fourth official. Which is a dangerous game to play.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:35 , Alan Smith

35’ - ... play continues, the VAR sees nothing to pique his interest.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:34 , Alan Smith

33’ - Havertz tries his luck again. With his back to goal, he chests and swivels, drilling a left footed effort towards goal that is palmed over by Roefs for a corner.

There is plenty of pushing in the box when the delivery comes in and VAR is taking a look at something involving Calafiori.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:31 , Alan Smith

31’ - A decent chance. Odegaard squares to Havertz but the Germany forward skies his chance. The intent and intensity were much better though.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:29 , Alan Smith

28’ - ... and Xhaka heads it away while the assistant referee’s flag goes up. Free out for Sunderland, cheered with the ferocity of a goal would be at many stadiums.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:28 , Alan Smith

27’ - Reinildo is booked for bringing down Saka. Angulo is also involved with all three pulling shirts, though the former’s tug was more obvious. Arsenal have a dangerous free kick on their right. Odegaard looks likely to dispatch an inswinger...

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:26 , Alan Smith

25’ - A bit of a lull ends with a couple of crunching challenges down Arsenal’s right. Odegaard is down injured after Angulo goes in slightly late following a White throw in. He’ll be fine to continue but the home fans are letting him know what they think.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:20 , Alan Smith

20’ - Brobbey’s hold up play has been the stand out element of this game so far. He has physically dominated against Gabriel and Konsa.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:16 , Alan Smith

16’ - Xhaka whips in a beauty but Ballard cannot convert, sending his effort narrowly wide.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:16 , Alan Smith

15’ - A good spell for the visitors as Havertz has a cross from the right blocked. But then Sunderland break and Gabriel brings down Le Fee. The Arsenal defender is furious but it is a foul, wide on the left. Danso and Ballard are on their way up.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:13 , Alan Smith

12’ - Rice lofts a lovely ball over the Arsenal defence and on to Saka but his connection is not clean and Sunderland breathe a sigh of relief.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:11 , Alan Smith

11’ - Arsenal enjoy a decent spell of possession but it’s not going anywhere of great interest.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:08 , Alan Smith

8’ - Lewis-Skelly drags Brobbey to the ground after good hold up play from the big man. It’s a free-kick just inside Arsenal’s half and it’s met with loud cheers. The set piece, however, is easily dealt with.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:06 , Alan Smith

5’ - It’s all a bit frantic early on, assisted by the atmosphere. Sunderland will be comfortable to sit deep and break with intensity. They are compact as we type but moving collectively with an expected intensity.

Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:03 , Alan Smith

2’ - Brobbey and Gabriel tussle early on. That may well be a big theme of the evening.

Kick-off! Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

20:01 , Alan Smith

1’ - And we’re underway. It’s a raucous evening at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal kick off, in yellow, and from left to right as we watch.

Arteta eyes improvements

19:50 , Alan Smith

Almost time to go but speaking on TV a few moments ago, Arteta said he expects his team to find higher gears.

"We can improve for sure, and we will improve," he told TNT Sports.

"We had a big lesson from what happened here last year. We know what type of atmosphere to expect and the team that they are. We need to come here and be dominant and play with the same energy of the last few games."

Raya gets ready for action

19:44 , Alan Smith

Last season's fixture

19:35 , Alan Smith

Brian Brobbey scored in the fourth minute of added time to earn the Black Cats a share of the spoils in this fixture last season. Hopefully we can have similar entertainment to that 2-2 draw.

Asked yesterday about what he learnt from that match, Arteta said: “Plenty of things. Plenty of things to improve, to be alert to, and some others that we have to continue to do because we did some great things that night and other things that we will discuss to prepare for the game.”

Brobbey starts up front for the hosts tonight...

The best team in Europe?

19:25 , Alan Smith

“They are the best team in Europe at the minute and they have good momentum as well,” Le Bris said in his press conference yesterday.

“We can’t get complacent otherwise it is finished very quickly. If you think that you are already a European team, it’s going to be a big problem.

“They are flying right now and they have many threats on the pitch but we have a good team as well. It is a good challenge and we need these challenges to get better.”

Le Bris' message to home fans

19:15 , Alan Smith

If Sunderland are to get something tonight they’ll need the Stadium of Light to get right behind them.

"It's a powerful driver,” Le Bris said pre-match of the home advantage. “It starts from us - the way we play and how we impose our ideas. If we are proactive they are behind us.

"They back us and they feed the energy for the press, second balls, counter-attacks and so on. The connection with the fans helps us a lot."

Arteta on dealing with pre-match curveballs

19:05 , Alan Smith

Arsenal’s trip to the north east will have been more straightforward than making it to Naples in midweek.

But Arteta spoke about changing plans in his pre-match press conference and gave some interesting glimmers away.

He said: “I love those challenges. I try to create them in pre-season. So when they happen, we already experience them and we already know. So get to the stadium very late, change the routine and suddenly the players have to do something else.

“Because when it happens, and it can happen, you can miss the flight, the train can be delayed, there's so much traffic and I don't want the players, but not only the players, the staff as well, panicking.

“So when that happens, adapt to it. Okay, we have another two or three hours on the plane. How can we use them, play together, spend some time together, sleep? Use it, but certainly don't complain and then use it as an excuse because that's not helpful at all.”

When is Sunderland v Arsenal?

18:55 , Will Castle

Sunderland’s clash with Arsenal kicks off at 8pm BST tonight at the Stadium of Light.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 6:30pm BST. It can also be streamed on HBO Max.

Sunderland XI

18:48 , Alan Smith

RLB’s XI to take on Arsenal! ❤️👊#SUNARS pic.twitter.com/F1nXWky4Fp

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 12, 2026

Arsenal XI

18:48 , Alan Smith

🟡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵

Your Saturday night Gunners ❤️‍🔥

🤝 Presented by @deel

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 12, 2026

Team news as Jurrien Timber could make return

18:40 , Will Castle

We’ll be bringing you confirmed team news in just a few minutes, but here’s what we know so far.

Mikel Arteta indicated that Jurrien Timber could make a return from injury for Arsenal tonight having missed the start of the season with a groin issue. “Let’s see,” he said in his press conference on Thursday.

Cristhian Mosquera, meanwhile, remains a doubt despite doing “really well” in his recovery from a muscle problem.

Sunderland only have the absence of Habib Diarra to contend with, as has been the case since the second game of the season. Romaine Mundle is also out but is very much down in the pecking order, especially after the arrival of Malick Fofana on deadline day.

The one-time Arsenal transfer target could now face the Gunners tonight...

Konsa's quick settle

18:35 , Alan Smith

Arteta has been impressed by how the England centre back has eased into life at the club since his move from Aston Villa. Will he start tonight?

“Well, it's certainly something to admire because it's not easy at all and you should not take it for granted,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference audience.

“But after talking to a lot of people that have worked with him, whether they're staff members or players, I already had a sense of the way everybody was talking about him, that he's a person that is great at gathering people together, he has a real personality, a lot of leadership skills, and you saw the first day he just trained the way he was talking, the way he was presenting himself. It was very impressive and so far he's done a really good job.”

Sunderland v Arsenal LIVE!

18:30 , Will Castle

Sunderland will hope to give Arsenal another tricky test at the Stadium of Light as the Premier League champions aim to extend their impressive start to their title defence.

The Gunners saw an 11-match winning run come to an end in dramatic fashion in a 2-2 draw at Sunderland last season but have started this campaign in flying form, with Martin Odegaard securing all three points against Napoli in the Champions League in midweek.

The Black Cats will aim to continue a decent start to their sophomore top-flight season, having beaten Fulham 1-0 and drawn with Brentford after a surprise defeat to Ipswich in the first game of the campaign.

Sunderland have not beaten Arsenal in their last 17 attempts but former Gunners captain Granit Xhaka continues to be the driving force at the Stadium of Light and he will hope to make life uncomfortable for his former side once again.

Good evening

18:00 , Will Castle

Hello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Arsenal’s trip to Sunderland in the Premier League.

We’ll bring you all the latest team news, build-up and match action from the Stadium of Light.