Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 to extend perfect start to nine wins

Arsenal maintained their flawless Premier League start with a 2-0 victory at Sunderland, securing a ninth consecutive league win for the first time since the 2003-04 Invincibles season. Substitute Bruno Guimarães broke the deadlock in the 58th minute and Bukayo Saka converted a stoppage-time penalty after Reinildo was dismissed.

The match turned on a 121-second spell midway through the second half. Referee John Brooks awarded Sunderland a 55th-minute penalty for Ezri Konsa's foul on Dan Ballard at a corner, but David Raya dived low to push Enzo Le Fée's spot-kick onto the post. Seconds later Guimarães, introduced at half-time, fired Arsenal ahead off the underside of the crossbar.

“Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing.”

Manager Mikel Arteta was furious with the penalty decision, calling it a "judo roll" by Ballard and insisting Konsa did nothing wrong. "Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing," Arteta told BBC Match of the Day. He was booked for leaving his technical area repeatedly.

Sunderland, organised by Régis Le Bris, frustrated Arsenal for long periods and Le Fée impressed before his penalty miss, earning a place in France's provisional Nations League squad. Nordi Mukiele also caught the eye at right-back. Arsenal's winning run leaves them top of the table after four rounds.