5 things we learned from Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sunderland as Guimaraes gets off the mark
Arsenal’s win at Sunderland showed the value of their squad depth, David Raya’s importance, and the need for Mikel Arteta to address some worrying away-day issues.
Arsenal produced another important result on the road by beating Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, maintaining their perfect start to their Premier League title defence with four wins out of four to move to the summit.
It was not a performance in which Mikel Arteta’s side dominated from start to finish, but their quality eventually proved decisive when the chances arrived.
The victory also highlighted some important talking points for Arteta, from David Raya’s growing influence to the struggles of Myles Lewis-Skelly away from home, while Bruno Guimaraes continues to knock on the door for his first start.
5 things we learn from Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal
1. Arsenal’s quality is decisive again
After creating enough danger to steer themselves ahead but couldn’t convert and didn’t really dominate, Mikel Arteta had the fortune of calling on Bruno Guimaraes and Jurrien Timber, two players who were decisive as the Brazilian scored the vital opener en route to the 2-0 victory.
2. David Raya is in a league of his own
David Raya saved a penalty to keep the score level moments before Arsenal’s opener. He made a big save to keep it at 1-0 and his distribution was top class. A goalkeeper that has won each of the last three PL Golden Gloves, the Spaniard doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon, with his fifth clean sheet in six games across all competitions this season.
3. Myles Lewis-Skelly starting away could be over
Myles Lewis-Skelly struggled to match the rhythm of the occasion at the Stadium of Light, just as he did at Villa Park a fortnight ago. With Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi available as options, maybe the time has finally come to drop the youngster from the starting XI, especially away from home in the league.
4. Sunderland at home are tough
Sunderland lost just four times at home in the Premier League last season and the majority of those came towards the end. The fact that they are one of the toughest teams at home in the league is well known to Arsenal, who dropped two points at the Stadium of Light last season. Despite this being a tough evening, Mikel Arteta will know that this is as big as any win they could get this season, while future visitors will be aware the difficult task ahead.
5. Arsenal have got to quit the margin game
What is legal and illegal are sometimes down to the referee’s discretion when it comes to Premier League officiating, and Arsenal have to quit playing so close to the margin of what is allowed. Albeit controversial, the penalty awarded to Sunderland could have changed the direction of the game had Enzo Le Fee beaten David Raya. Mikel Arteta has to talk to his boys because they are becoming the target of the officials.
