Arsenal ratings: Raya 9/10, Guimaraes 8/10 in victory over Sunderland

Arsenal continued their unbeaten streak this season with a 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League.

In a pivotal moment during the second half, David Raya showcased his skills by expertly saving a penalty taken by Enzo Le Fée after Ezri Konsa fouled Dan Ballard. Just moments later, Bruno Guimarães—who had a tumultuous past with Sunderland’s local rivals, Newcastle—netted a stunning goal to break the deadlock.

In the closing moments, Bukayo Saka secured a penalty that led to Reinildo Mandava receiving a second yellow card, and he successfully converted it, solidifying the victory.

This win positions Arsenal three points ahead of the league table before the crucial Manchester Derby on Sunday.

Positives

One of the standout positives is that Arsenal emerged victorious from a challenging match while maintaining their clean sheet, particularly against a fervent crowd. Guimarães scoring his first goal for the Gunners is also a significant boost for Mikel Arteta, alongside his overall midfield performance and the team’s effective passing and defensive resilience against Brian Brobbey.

Raya’s performance further reinforced his dependability in crucial situations.

Negatives

The primary concern remains Ben White’s injury, sustained before halftime. Additionally, the manner in which Konsa conceded the penalty raises questions, especially given Arsenal’s history with set-pieces, though it didn’t affect the outcome this time. Arsenal also showed some inefficiency in front of goal and allowed Sunderland moments of encouragement in the first half.

Manager rating out of 10

Mikel Arteta, 8 — He received a booking for stepping outside his technical area early on, hinting at frustration, but he reacted well to White’s injury and displayed decisiveness by substituting Guimarães for Myles Lewis-Skelly at halftime, which proved vital for the team’s success.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best; subs after 70 minutes receive no rating)

GK David Raya, 9 — Did well to command his area and made a crucial save, preventing Le Fee’s penalty from going in. He also denied Nordi Mukiele on another attempt, showcasing his resilience.

DF Ben White, 6 — Showed promise in attack but faltered on final passes and experienced some shaky moments against Nilson Angulo. He was penalized for a peculiar handball and was substituted at halftime due to a groin issue.

DF Ezri Konsa, 6 — Generally effective in handling Brian Brobbey, executing a crucial slide tackle, but misjudged a foul when he brought down Dan Ballard, leading to the penalty. By the end, he was involved in several heated exchanges.

DF Gabriel Magalhães, 8 — Made an impactful attempt from long range and showed defensive strength throughout, recovering well from a miscommunication with Raya. He received a booking amid a tense atmosphere but remained solid in defense.

DF Riccardo Calafiori, 7 — Displayed a sturdy defensive presence and ventured forward effectively, though one of his shots was blocked.

MF Declan Rice, 8 — Controlled the game well and delivered an excellent pass that created a chance for Saka, showcasing both his defensive acumen and offensive support.

MF Myles Lewis-Skelly, 5 — Struggled with ball control and was subbed off at halftime.

MF Bukayo Saka, 7 — Could have capitalized on Rice’s assist better and had a promising opportunity saved but remained persistent, winning and converting the penalty.

MF Martin Odegaard, 8 — The Arsenal captain was influential throughout, contributing to play with key passes and effective pressing, though his free-kick assist was ruled offside.

MF Christos Tzolis, 5 — Played a smart reverse pass but otherwise lacked effectiveness until showing slight improvement in the second half.

FW Kai Havertz, 6 — Worked hard for the team but squandered chances, receiving a yellow card late in the game.

Substitutes

DF Jurrien Timber, 7 (on for White, 46″) — Handled Angulo well and had a goal disallowed for offside.

MF Bruno Guimaraes, 8 (on for Lewis-Skelly, 46″) — Endured jeers from the home crowd but silenced them with a brilliant goal that secured the win.

FW Eberechi Eze, N/R (on for Tzolis, 81″) — Had little impact, misplacing a cross.

MF Martín Zubimendi, N/R (on for Rice, 81″) — Effective in disrupting Sunderland’s momentum.

MF Mikel Merino, N/R (on for Odegaard, 85″) — Limited impact with a brief appearance but had one notable moment where he couldn’t retain possession.