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Sunderland Win Shows Why Arsenal Look Ready to Defend Their Premier League Title – Opinion
Sep 13 2026 14:48 · By onefootball.com · 16 Reads
Yesterday Arsenal ensured their 100% winning start to the 2026/27 Premier League season was maintained with an important 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
The Black Cats, who held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light last season, made Arsenal work extremely hard this time around. Despite the Gunners enjoying plenty of possession during the first half, Sunderland grew into the contest and caused us some real problems after the interval.
Ultimately, though, Arsenal found a way to win – and that could prove just as important as some of the more comfortable victories we have already enjoyed this season.
Raya and Bruno Turn the Match Arsenal’s Way
David Raya was crucial when Arsenal needed him most, denying Sunderland from the penalty spot with the match still goalless.
Only 121 seconds later, new signing Bruno Guimaraes produced the decisive breakthrough.
After Declan Rice helped tee him up, Bruno unleashed a ferocious effort from outside the area which flew into the net via the crossbar in the 58th minute.
What a way to score your first Arsenal goal!
The Gunners then had to protect their advantage against a Sunderland side who refused to give up, before Bukayo Saka finally made sure of all three points from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.
It was Saka’s third Premier League goal in four matches and ensured Arsenal came away with another valuable victory.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Defence Is Already Looking Strong Again
The Gunners and Raya have now recorded an impressive three clean sheets from their opening four Premier League matches.
Considering the Spaniard has won the Premier League Golden Glove for the past three successive seasons, you certainly wouldn’t bet against him challenging for it again.
Only Pepe Reina, Joe Hart and Ederson had previously won three Golden Gloves consecutively. If Raya were to win it for a fourth season running, he would become the first goalkeeper to achieve that feat.
Arsenal’s defence is already showing the same sort of resilience we witnessed last year. After four league matches, the Gunners have conceded just once.
Funnily enough, that is exactly the same number Arsenal had conceded at this stage last season.
The significant difference is that, after four games in 2025/26, we had already suffered that frustrating defeat to Liverpool. Fortunately, it didn’t ruin our title charge in the end, but this time Arsenal have managed to take maximum points from their opening four matches.
Could Arsenal Keep This Winning Run Going?
With the way things are going for the Gunners, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that they could maintain this excellent start well into the autumn, especially when you consider our forthcoming fixtures.
Manchester City will inevitably be on our tails again, but after Arsenal managed to pull away from them successfully last season, I don’t see why we can’t do the same again this year.
Some might question my verdict here, but one team I personally think Arsenal should keep an eye on is Hull City.
Yes, they’re newly promoted, but they have already beaten Manchester United and came extremely close to beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday before drawing 2-2.
We only just managed to beat Chelsea ourselves last weekend.
To some extent, I personally wouldn’t be surprised if Hull caused an upset against Manchester City or potentially even ourselves. Arsenal supporters should remember that back in 2014 Hull came to the Emirates and held us to a 2-2 draw, despite eventually being relegated that season!
Sometimes it isn’t the clubs you’re expecting to cause problems that prove the most dangerous.
Promising Signs in England and Europe
The encouraging thing is that Arsenal are not only looking strong domestically.
The Gunners showed in midweek that they can compete in Europe again this season, beating Napoli 1-0 thanks to Martin Odegaard’s late winner.
In total, Arsenal have now kept five clean sheets from six competitive matches this season if we include the 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City in Cardiff.
Of course, it is still extremely early.
But Arsenal are already showing promising signs both offensively and defensively that they have what it takes to become Premier League champions for a second successive season.
The last time Arsenal successfully defended the English league title was more than 90 years ago.
Could this finally be the team to do it again?
COYG!!
Liam Harding
Do you agree with Liam, Gooners? Have Arsenal’s opening performances convinced you that this team can retain the Premier League title, and is there a surprise team you think could cause the Gunners problems this season? Let us know in the comments.
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