100% Gunners
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season with a hard fought 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening. The Black Cats gave it their all and pushed Arsenal all the way in an end to end pulsating encounter but the Champions held firm to claim all three points. In an emotionally charged match the hosts fed off the atmosphere generated by the home fans and stood toe to toe with the Gunners as they sought their second home win of the season. Ater a first half which ended in stalemate the fireworks came in the second half with two penalties and a world class save. Barely 10 minutes had elapsed after the restart when the match swung massively in Sunderland's favour when referee John Brooks pointed to the spot, awarding Sunderland the contentious penalty when he claimed Ezri Konsa hauled down Ballard.
Raya
Enzo LaFee had the responsibility of converting the kick but watched in horror as David Raya dived full stretch down to his left and pushed his kick around the post. Cue massive celebrations among the travelling Gunners and even more celebrations were to follow just over two minutes later as summer signing Bruno Guimaraes picked up a pass from Declan Rice on the edge of the area and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top of the Sunderland net. Bukayo Saka had an opportunity to double the lead with 15 mins left on the clock but keeper Roefs had it covered. Sunderland kept the pressure on as they searched for an equaliser and almost found it when Nordi Mukiele tried a spectacular backheel in the six yard box which didn’t come off and as the six minutes of injury time was ticking away, Saka received a great pass from Bruno, and charged into the area, where he was fouled by Reinildo Mandava. the Sunderland man received a second yellow card for the offence and was sent off. Saka converted to put the gloss on a gutsy performance for the Gunners and maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The Gunners moved three points ahead of rivals Manchester City with the Blues still to play against Manchester Utd in the Manchester derby on Sunday. Arsenal have now won 9 matches in a row in the Premier League, the last time they achieved this was the the year of the Invincibles back in 2004 and started a top-flight campaign with four successive victories for only the sixth time in their history.
Unacceptable
In his post match interview, Mikel Arteta spoke of the decision to award Sunderland the penalty,
"Look, the first question we have to discuss is that this is not acceptable at this level. It was a beautiful game of football, with two teams and an atmosphere in the stadium that was unbelievable, with Sunderland they are so organised; they are so good in so many phases, they have great players, they created a lot of issues we had to cope with. We had to cope with all of that, it was a lot in a really difficult week after Chelsea and Napoli, and on top of that we have to go through what we've done today that in my opinion is not acceptable. I watched it 20 times, and I cannot find a way to understand how they even think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene. So I don't know what to think, but I'm sad that we have to discuss in such a beautiful game something at this level that has the gravity of that, because that changes the course of the season and can cost you the championship".
Top of the league ✅
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 12, 2026
NINE wins in a row ✅@Arsenal have picked up right where they left off last season! pic.twitter.com/fEbtBNzdQF
Calafiori
Arsenal's 24 year old left back Riccardo Calafiori, has been officially named as the club's player of the Month for August.
Calafiori's one goal, two assists and three clean sheets seen the Italian international pick up the first accolade of the year and if he maintains his blistering start to the season, will have many more to collect.
Signed from Serie A side, Bologna in July 2024, Calafiori has grown into the left back role and was a pivotal player in last season's title winning season and on current form, will be as key to Arsenal's success again this year. COYG!
