Guimaraes nominated for PL Goal of the Month

Bruno Guimaraes has been nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month award for September after his long-range strike in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Sunderland.

The Brazilian midfielder opened his account for the Gunners 13 minutes into the second half at the Stadium of Light, silencing the home crowd with a shot from 25 yards that crashed off the crossbar and into the top corner past Robin Roefes.

Guimaraes, the former Newcastle United captain, was introduced by Mikel Arteta at half-time and scored on his return to the north-east, where he was met with boos from his ex-local rivals.

The goal was set up by compatriot Gabriel, who found Declan Rice in the final third. Rice threaded a pass into Guimaraes' path before the midfielder took one touch and unleashed a shot into the top corner.

Guimaraes is one of eight nominees for the award. He faces competition from Nicolas Jackson, Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa vs Tottenham), Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bryan Mbeumo — both for goals against Manchester United — Harvey Barnes (Newcastle vs Bournemouth), Lewis Dunk (Brighton vs Coventry City), and Jay Dasilva, whose strike for Coventry at Nottingham Forest marked the club's first goal back in the top flight.

Voting is open until midday on Monday, September 28.