SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: (2ndL) Bruno Guimaraes celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal with (L) Noni Madueke and (R) Christos Tzolis and (2ndR) Gabriel Magalhaes during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bruno Guimaraes sent Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a moment of brilliance that was doubly painful for Sunderland on Sunday (AEST).
Not only did the Brazil midfielder set up a 2-0 win for the defending champions at the Stadium of Light, but, as a former Newcastle United player, he made the most of his moment, sending a message to the home supporters by cupping his ears as he ran towards the corner in celebration.
Guimaraes joined the Gunners from Sunderland’s fierce northeast rivals in the off-season so will have been well aware of the significance of his goal. Coming on as a half-time substitute, he curled a long-range shot into the top corner in the 58th minute.
The goal came two minutes after Arsenal’s David Raya saved Enzo Le Fee’s penalty.
“It is a beautiful moment for me and my family,” Guimaraes told TNT Sports. “Everyone knows my amazing history at Newcastle, but now I’m trying to create a new history here. I’ve started on the right foot.”
Bukayo Saka sealed the win with a penalty in the seventh minute of added time after Reinildo Mandava was sent off for bringing down the forward in the box.
Arsenal have won each of their last nine Premier League games – their longest run since March 2004 (also 9). The Gunners, meanwhile, have won each of their opening four games of a Premier League campaign for just the fourth time after 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2022-23.
Manchester City are three points behind Arsenal in second place and play Manchester United on Monday (AEST).
Earlier, Socceroos defender Lucas Herrington enjoyed another big day in his Premier League education as his Hull City side eked out a 2-2 draw at Chelsea to maintain their four-game unbeaten league start.
Chelsea weren’t the only big side to drop points at home as Liverpool and struggling Tottenham were also held to draws, while Aston Villa lost again.
Liverpool have spent a fortune rebuilding their attack over the past two seasons, but they were held to a 0-0 draw a Fulham team who hadn’t kept a clean sheet and were pointless going into the game.
Tottenham remain goalless and winless after a summer of heavy spending and the boos rang out after their goalless draw at home to Everton as they voiced their disapproval at it being more than six hours since Spurs last scored.
Only Crystal Palace in 2017-18 (first seven games) have endured a longer start to a Premier League season without scoring than Tottenham in 2026-27 (first four), while it’s Spurs’ longest goalscoring drought to the start of a season in the top four tiers.
Villa’s nightmare start to the season also continued with a 2-1 loss at home to Nottingham Forest, while Ipswich beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and Bournemouth drew 2-2 with Brentford.
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