Arsenal left the Stadium of Light with another victory on Saturday night, but the national reaction suggests the 2-0 scoreline only tells part of the story.
Mikel Arteta’s side maintained their perfect Premier League start through goals from Bruno Guimarães and Bukayo Saka.
However, Sunderland caused the champions more problems than any league opponent has managed so far this season.
ReadArsenal’s full Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal match report covers how David Raya’s penalty save changed the game before Guimarães struck just two minutes later.
The wider verdict was remarkably consistent.
Arsenal had been seriously tested — and found a way to win anyway.
Guardian calls Sunderland Arsenal’s toughest test
The Guardian’s report from the Stadium of Light described the contest as Arsenal’s “toughest test this term”.
Louise Taylor highlighted Sunderland’s organisation and physical approach, with Arsenal struggling to establish their normal passing rhythm during the opening half.
Brian Brobbey caused problems through the middle, while Nordi Mukiele repeatedly threatened from Sunderland’s right.
Even after Guimarães put Arsenal ahead, Sunderland continued to push for an equaliser before Saka eventually made the result safe from the penalty spot.
That makes the victory considerably more significant than the final score might initially suggest.
Reuters highlights Arsenal resilience
Reuters took a similar view of Arsenal’s victory.
Its report described Arsenal as having to grind out the three points against a tenacious Sunderland side.
Arteta’s team were forced to defend under pressure and were regularly challenged by Sunderland’s physicality.
Yet Reuters pointed towards the resilience which helped Arsenal win the Premier League last season as one of the defining features of another difficult away victory.
That resilience was particularly visible after Sunderland were awarded their controversial second-half penalty.
Raya denied Enzo Le Fée before Arsenal immediately went up the other end and scored through Guimarães.
The goalkeeper subsequently earned a 9/10 in ReadArsenal’s Arsenal player ratings against Sunderland.
Sky Sports points to Arsenal’s decisive moments
Sky Sports focused heavily on Raya and Guimarães.
Only 121 seconds separated Raya’s penalty save and Guimarães’ brilliant opening goal.
Arsenal still had to withstand late Sunderland pressure afterwards, with Raya making another important stop from Mukiele before Saka settled the game in stoppage time.
Those decisive moments are increasingly becoming a feature of this Arsenal side.
They do not need complete control of every match to win.
Arteta can now call upon a goalkeeper capable of producing a match-changing save and a bench containing players of Guimarães’ quality.
ReadArsenal has already looked at how Guimaraes has complicated Arteta’s midfield decision after his decisive half-time introduction.
Saturday showed exactly why that depth matters.
Arsenal were uncomfortable, Sunderland were competitive and the match could easily have swung the other way.
They still left with three points and a clean sheet.
For a side attempting to retain the Premier League title, that may be the most encouraging part of all.
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