Guimaraes stunner and Saka penalty earns Arsenal victory at Sunderland in Premier League
First Gunners goal came moments after brilliant Raya penalty save to deny Le Fee
Toothless Tottenham blank again as new era turns into a false dawn - read more here
More dropped points at Anfield - is it too early for Liverpool to worry? Read more here
Alonso not happy with 'soft' Chelsea after 2-2 draw with Hull - read more here
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist at Stadium of Light
Ezri Konsa is really struggling up against Brian Brobbey - the Sunderland striker is holding him off every time the ball comes up to him before laying off to his fellow attackers.
If Sunderland are to break down Arsenal's stingy defence this evening, Brobbey will surely be involved.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Just like that, we've reached 20 minutes.
Sunderland have had the best chance, while Arsenal have registered the only attempt on target.
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I remember when I had my first beer Will.
David, Midlands
Will from Birmingham showing the usual understanding in football that Birmingham City fans masquerading in the reaches of the Premier league usually show...
Bill, Lichfield
Sorry Will, although I agree with you. Spurs have to be included surely their luck has to run out sometime.
Sarah, Liverpool
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT Sports
What a ball that was from Xhaka. Curls it around, Sunderland just couldn't get it in the back of the net.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
That was high quality delivery by Granit Xhaka.
He turns 34 in two weeks time. The former Arsenal man has still got it - and he's clearly having fun out there against his former club.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist at Stadium of Light
That's a huge chance for Dan Ballard - plenty of fans sat just in front of the press box thought the defender had scored, but he can't quite get enough on it. Great delivery.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
My goodness!
Dan Ballard goes ever so close after Granit Xhaka delivers a quality free-kick into the Arsenal box.
The visitors breathe an almighty sight of relief as the ball comes off Ballard and flashes narrowly wide.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist at Stadium of Light
So far, so good for Sunderland, whose fans are cheering every tackle and interception like their lives depend on it.
Arsenal don't look settled.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Brian Brobbey is using his powerful frame to cause problems for Ezri Konsa. There's a good battle developing between these two.
Image source, Getty ImagesSunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Sunderland look well organised at the back but that move was a first serious warning. Saka would surely have put that away with better control.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
For all their possession, Arsenal are yet to test Robin Roefs.
Here they come again through Christos Tzolis - and this time they go close.
Declan Rice finds Bukayo Saka inside the box but Arsenal's No 7 cannot get a clean connection.
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I'm sure this will trigger a few replies...
I think Villa and Palace are going down this year - both teams have had their guts ripped out, and will suffer complacency like West Ham last year. Plus, the teams who go down usually have inadequate goalkeepers.
Will, Birmingham
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Declan Rice is starting his 150th game for Arsenal in all competitions, since his debut in August 2023 the only Premier League outfielder with more starts in all competitions is Virgil van Dijk (154).
Image source, Getty ImagesSunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has seen so much of the ball in these opening 10 minutes but suddenly the home side are on the attack through Nordi Mukiele. It's fizzed across the box and Arsenal are back in possession.
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Arsenal should win this surely but Sunderland always have hunger and pass. Should be a tough one for sure!
Joey, Farnham
Sunderland are going to make this game a dog fight and scrap. Arsenal have to play their game and not allow themselves be dragged into the dog fight.
Victor, Nairobi
As a lifelong Arsenal fan, I still have a soft spot for Granit Xhaka, so I'm glad to see him getting the props he deserves at the heart of the Sunderland midfield in the twilight of his playing career. That said, I hope he has a torrid one this evening.
Mark, Worthing
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT Sports
The movement of Arsenal has been good. Declan Rice looks a lot more comfortable on that right hand side with Myles Lewis-Skelly. The balance is good.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal are starting to get into their stride.
Bukayo Saka to Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box but Sunderland just about get it clear.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Incredible noise from the stands but Arsenal continue to dominate the ball. 85.2% in the opening five minutes. Sunderland won't mind that too much, they haven't been troubled.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist at Stadium of Light
I tell you what, they know how to build the tension up in Sunderland.
A ship's horn sounds, the lights dim, and a speech delivered by manager Regis Le Bris is played over the sound system.
The fans roar and out come the players.
We're all set for a cracker at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT Sports
If you sit deep, Arsenal will keep you deep and eventually wear you down. They do leave space because they like to get forward. It's what you do when you win the ball back that's going to be important for Sunderland.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 12 |
| |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 2 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
