Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Bruno Guimaraes breaking the deadlock shortly after David Raya had saved a penalty.
Sunderland were handed a chance to take the lead in the second half when Ezri Konsa was penalised for holding Dan Ballard. Raya kept Arsenal level by tipping Enzo Le Fee’s spot-kick on to the post.
Only 121 seconds later, Guimaraes collected a pass from Declan Rice and struck from outside the area. His fierce effort flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
The midfielder was booed whenever he touched the ball by the home supporters because of his Newcastle connections, but his goal put Arsenal in control. Sunderland applied pressure late on, although the visitors held firm.
Arsenal secured a sixth successive victory in all competitions when Bukayo Saka converted a stoppage-time penalty. Reinildo Mandava had been shown a second yellow card for bringing Saka down as he ran through on goal.
The result was Arsenal’s fourth consecutive Premier League win and lifted them above Manchester City, who face Manchester United on Sunday.
