Bruno Guimaraes scored a screamer just before the hour mark, a few minutes after David Raya had saved a penalty at the other end, and Bukayo Saka converted a spot kick of his own to seal a 2-0 win at Sunderland. The result leaves Arsenal as the only team with a 100% record after four Premier League games, ahead of Manchester City's Sunday fixture against their neighbours United.
Early season predictions that Arsenal would walk to another Premier League title are looking ominously true, for it is hard to see where they will drop points. Next in the league, they travel to Brighton having not lost to the Seagulls since 2023. You have to go all the way back to June 2020 to find the last time the Gunners lost at the Amex. Following that, they head to Nottingham Forest, a side they have an excellent record against. Not since May 2023 have Arsenal lost against the Tricky Trees.
It is not until the 1st of November and a trip to Anfield that Arsenal face another top-four side, meaning they could easily maintain their perfect record up to that point and possibly beyond. Should they win every game between now and the game against Liverpool, that will be nine consecutive victories to start the season, which would tie the Premier League record.
The Chelsea team of 2005-06 reached that tally under Jose Mourinho, with their run ended via a 1-1 draw at Goodison. Chelsea's effort was similar to Arsenal's in that it was a defence-first approach, and Mourinho's Blues started the first six games with clean sheets. Next on the list is the Liverpool team of 2019-20, who managed eight wins on their way to the Premier League title. It was Manchester United who stopped them with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Then there is a bit of a gap with five teams on six wins. They include the 1994-95 Newcastle side, 2009-10 Chelsea, 2016-17 and 2023-24 Manchester City, and the 2018-19 Liverpool team.
Arsenal's previous best effort came in the 2004-05 season, when they won five games to start the season, although they did eventually lose the title to Chelsea. That season was built on scoring, with Arsenal starting the campaign by hitting 19 goals in their first five games. This current iteration is a different beast entirely, one built on defensive solidity and game management rather than sheer firepower.
The win at Sunderland was not without its anxious moments. Raya's penalty save proved pivotal in the context of the match, keeping the scores level before Guimaraes produced a moment of individual brilliance to break the deadlock. Saka's late penalty then added gloss to the scoreline, a reflection of Arsenal's growing control as the game wore on.
The run has been built quietly, without the same fanfare that accompanied some of their previous title challenges. There has been no public talk of records or statements of intent from the dressing room. The focus remains on the next fixture, the next three points, the next step in a process that has been carefully constructed over several transfer windows.
Brighton away represents the next test, a ground where Arsenal have historically struggled even during their strongest seasons. The Amex has become a difficult place to visit for every club in the division, and the Seagulls have developed a reputation for causing problems for the traditional top six. Arsenal's recent record there offers some comfort, but the fixture list does not relent.
Nottingham Forest have also proven stubborn opponents in recent meetings, and their physical approach under Steve Cooper has caused Arsenal problems in the past. The data suggests Arsenal should be favourites, but the Premier League has a habit of confounding expectations.
The prospect of matching Chelsea's record will grow with each passing week. The 2005-06 side was defined by its defensive resilience, a trait this Arsenal team shares. The comparison is not lost on those who follow the club closely, though nobody within the camp is willing to get ahead of themselves.
For now, the numbers speak for themselves. Four games, four wins, no dropped points. The path to history is clear, but the road is long, and the Premier League has a way of punishing those who look too far ahead. The next chapter arrives on the south coast, where Arsenal will attempt to take another step towards a record that has stood for nearly two decades.
According to Planet Football.
