Arsenal analysis: Raya proves worth with crucial contribution

Arsenal‘s first-half frustration was encapsulated in manager Mikel Arteta being booked shortly before the break for leaving his technical area too many times.

They had been nullified by Sunderland at that point, with attacking metronome Martin Odegaard kept quiet by their former player Granit Xhaka.

Greece winger Christos Tzolis continued his inconsistent start to the season, more reminiscent here of his toothless showing against Aston Villa rather than the productive display at home to Chelsea.

Konsa, even before giving away the penalty, struggled to deal with Sunderland’s direct attacking approach and the physicality of striker Brian Brobbey. And there was further concern at the back when Ben White went off injured at half-time.

But in a game where their attacking talent largely failed to sparkle, Arsenal could rely on their quality at the other end of the pitch as Raya showed his value.

The Spaniard kept his fifth clean sheet in six games this term, and marshalled a defence that has only conceded nine shots on target in the league so far – the lowest in the division.

Raya was also called into action late on to palm away a Xhaka cross that caused danger as Sunderland packed the box looking for a leveller.

As a result Arsenal have won each of their first four games in a top-flight season for the sixth time in their history, last doing so in 2022-23.