Arsenal player ratings vs Sunderland: Key man proves worth as super-sub scores 9/10

Gunners are four from four in Premier League

Bruno Guimaraes scored a sensational first goal for Arsenal as they continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 win away at Sunderland.

That came after David Raya denied Enzo Le Fee from the penalty spot just before the hour mark, before the Gunners then went up the other end to open the scoring shortly after.

Guimaraes, booed consistently by the home fans, bent in a wonderful strike from outside the area, before Bukayo Saka put the finishing touches on the result with a late penalty, one that Reinildo was shown a second yellow card for conceding.

Matt Verri rated the Arsenal players at the Stadium of Light...

Match-turning moment when he made a stunning save to tip Le Fee’s penalty onto the post. Bailed Arsenal out. Really brave goalkeeping when challenged by four Sunderland players late on.

Ben White 4

Incredibly frustrating night. Had some bad moments in possession, including when losing it to Angulo as Sunderland broke. Was holding his groin towards the end of the first half and replaced at the break.

Hooked: Ben White

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Ezri Konsa 5

Handed the nightmare task of duelling with Brobbey - not a wrestling match many will win. Lost most of those battles, though he kept going and didn’t ever really get turned. Unfortunate to give a penalty away for a soft call.

Gabriel 7

Shaky moment when going up for a long throw and knocking it out of Raya’s hands. Otherwise rock solid, making good blocks and going close with a strike from distance.

Riccardo Calafiori 6

One or two nice moments combining out on the left but much quieter in attack than usual. Slack moment to be punished for taking too long over a throw-in when Arsenal were holding onto lead.

Declan Rice 7

Deserved an assist for his brilliant cross for Saka. Brick wall in his own box, making three headed clearances. After 90 minutes in midweek, this was another big, big effort.

Poor: Myles Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly 4

So sloppy - looked miles off the pace. Lost five of his six duels. Took too many touches in possession and passing radar was off too. Could have no complaints about being hooked at half time.

Bukayo Saka 6

More finishing problems, wasting a huge chance when failing to make enough contact with Rice’s cross. Then failed to kill the game with big opportunity in the second half. Did finally get his goal when converting stoppage-time penalty.

Martin Odegaard 8

Buzzed around the pitch and tried to inject some pace. Nice cut back set up good chance for Havertz. Perfect cross for Timber’s header, but just offside. Five chances created in another top-class display.

Captain fantastic: Martin Odegaard

Christos Tzolis 6

Slow start but grew into it. Sharp footwork started the move for Saka’s second-half chance. Also tracked back relentlessly and looked up for the fight.

Kai Havertz 6

Mixed performance. Poor finish from Odegaard’s pass and also should have done more when slid through by Saka. But did brilliantly to shoot on the swivel and he always offered Arsenal an out-ball.

Substitutes:

Jurrien Timber (White 46’) 7

Only his second appearance since March. Slotted in at right back impressively, matching the pace of the game. Denied a headed goal by offside flag.

Bruno Guimaraes (Lewis-Skelly 46’) 9

Lift-off for his Arsenal career. Booed every time he touched the ball but had the last laugh with a sensational strike from distance fired in off the bar. Real zip to his passing too.

Eberechi Eze (Tzolis 81’) 5

Poor cross when the visitors broke with numbers in the closing stages.

Martin Zubimendi (Rice 81’) 6

Flew into challenges, adding fresh impetus in midfield.