Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday evening, but the scoreline flattered the Gunners on a night when they were pushed to their limits at the Stadium of Light.
From the opening minute, Arsenal found themselves under pressure. The Stadium of Light is never an easy trip, and Mikel Arteta's side had to dig in against a buoyant home crowd. For large periods, Sunderland looked the more likely team to score as Arsenal turned the contest into a physical battle across the park.
Physical battle and set-piece chaos
For once, the Gunners were physically outmatched across the pitch, struggling to deal with Sunderland's intensity. Set pieces began to resemble a wrestling match as referee John Brooks grew increasingly tired of Gabriel's theatrical falls, repeatedly waving the Brazilian back to his feet after he hit the deck following the slightest contact.
Arsenal responded by raising their own physicality, but Ezri Konsa crossed the line when he wrapped his arms around Dan Ballard and dragged him to the ground. David Raya, however, proved his worth as he pushed Enzo Le Fee's spot-kick off the post and away from danger.
Gunners edge ahead but fail to kill game off
Two minutes later, Arsenal were ahead as former Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes silenced the Stadium of Light. But Sunderland refused to back down, and as they pushed for an equaliser, Arsenal were forced to slow the game down and manage the contest.
The Gunners could have found a second, only for an incredible goalline clearance from Ballard to deny them. When the ball then fell to Riccardo Calafiori, the Arsenal defender opted to appeal for a handball rather than simply trying to smash it into the net. It was the kind of moment that could have come back to haunt Arsenal – looking towards the referee instead of throwing everything at a second goal.
Champions find a way
On Saturday, however, it didn't. Arsenal needed to dig deep and find something they rarely had to find last season. They needed to fight fire with fire. The Gunners did get their second, when Bukayo Saka found the net from the spot in added time.
This was not Arsenal at their swashbuckling best. It was Arsenal finding a different way to win – grinding out a result when the game threatened to turn against them. That is what champions do. Arteta's side are back on their perch, and now all eyes will turn to Sunday's Manchester derby to see whether Manchester City can hit back.
