Substitute Brian Brobbey’s 94th-minute equaliser noticed Sunderland snatch a degree over Premier League leaders Arsenal in dramatic vogue on the Stadium of Gentle.
Brobbey made himself the hero as he beat David Raya to the punch to fireplace dwelling after objectives from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had seen the Gunners seemingly full a dominant second-half comeback.
The showstopping finish to the story means Mikel Arteta’s males prolong their result in six factors on the high of the Premier League, whereas Sunderland transfer to fourth forward of Manchester Metropolis’s conflict with Liverpool on Tremendous Sunday, reside on Sky.
Dan Ballard had given the hosts the lead within the first half to again up Sunderland’s standing because the shock package deal of the Premier League this season.
The 2 sides went into the competition with the most effective defensive data within the Premier League, and because the clock ticked into the third minute, Arsenal entered their thirteenth hour with out conceding in all competitions.
That run wouldn’t final for much longer, although, as for the primary time in 812 minutes, their resistance was shattered, reasonably sarcastically, by a set-piece.
Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring in opposition to Arsenal on the Stadium of Gentle
A deep free-kick despatched ahead by Robin Roefs fell to Nordi Mukiele, who nodded it right down to former Arsenal academy graduate Ballard, who smashed previous Raya to blow the roof off the Stadium of Gentle.
It compelled Arsenal to do one thing they hadn’t achieved since their September assembly with Newcastle, which was to come back from behind.
No matter Mikel Arteta stated within the away dressing room clearly fired the Gunners up for the second interval.
The Gunners had been relentless of their pursuit of an equaliser. It got here as Declan Rice snatched possession from a sloppy Enzo Le Charge, with the ball subsequently being labored to Saka who fired previous Roefs on the close to submit.
From that time on, it seemed like just one group was going to win the sport as Martin Zubimendi noticed an effort cannon off the crossbar.
The three factors seemed to have been sealed in luxurious vogue, Trossard unleashing a rocket from simply exterior the penalty space that rifled into the roof of the online.
Leandro Trossard (centre) celebrates with team-mates after scoring Arsenal’s second aim
That was till Brobbey popped as much as snatch a degree for Regis Le Bris’ facet, who even at that late stage nonetheless wanted Ballard’s problem on the different finish to save lots of a near-certain winner from Mikel Merino.
Arteta: Sunderland take the sport the place they need
Mikel Arteta believes the distinction in stoppage time informed the story of the draw in opposition to Sunderland
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta talking with Sky Sports activities:
“A really tough test. We knew that with the way they set up. Credit to them because they make it very difficult. They take the game constantly to the areas that they want.
“The time that has been added on the finish of every half tells you the story. It is regular. Regis and his group attempt to do their finest and we tried to do the identical.
“What we had to do better was look at the way we conceded the goals. It is very clear what they do, they do it very well. To show it and try to train it, you then have to execute it on the pitch.
“We would have liked a aim to consider. We acquired it and put them on the again foot. We created loads of possibilities after which we scored the second aim which is the toughest factor to do.
“It’s another direct ball, we lose the flick and the striker put his leg in an incredible way to anticipate the bounce and score the goal.”
Le Bris: We needed to be at our easiest to attract with Arsenal
Sunderland supervisor Regis Le Bris talking with Sky Sports activities:
“I think we showed once again our character and togetherness. We struggled as expected against a really strong squad. Even when we went through difficult moments we showed it was possible to change the dynamic and create something right until the end.
“We needed to be the most effective Sunderland as attainable in several phases. The primary half was attention-grabbing. It was balanced. We had been organised out of place with the power to threaten the opponent on set-pieces.
“We had good players with the ball. It was a bit tougher in the second half. We were more fragile with the ball and we conceded a goal like that. But it is a really good lesson because we have a really young squad without experience in the Premier League.
“We’ve got a effectively balanced group with completely different choices. Completely different profiles. Once we ready for this season it was actually vital so as to add some physicality and I believe you see that at present.”
Sunderland prove they can force anyone into playing their way
Granit Xhaka celebrates the outcome in opposition to Arsenal at full-time
You’ll have discovered Sunderland on the backside of many individuals’s predicted Premier League tables in the beginning of the season. However outcomes like this one show precisely why they aren’t anyplace close to the drop.
Admittedly, within the second half, the Black Cats had been on the mercy of Arsenal, who seemed prone to rating with nearly each assault. Within the first, although, it was a really completely different story.
Regis Le Bris’ facet put in a commanding first 45 minutes. And it wasn’t by taking part in probably the most stunning soccer. It was by forcing their opponents to play the sport precisely how they wished it to be performed.
The resolute nature of Sunderland’s rearguard efficiency started to annoy the Gunners, and by the point they conceded they had been simply taking part in into the arms of the hosts. Foolish free-kicks, rushed choices within the ultimate third. Sure, they composed themselves after the break, however Sunderland left them rattled.
The very fact they had been ready to do that in opposition to a facet that would have gone 9 factors clear on the high of the Premier League had they received, speaks volumes about what the newly promoted facet have been in a position to do. Each tonight and thru the season so far.
When folks say there aren’t any straightforward video games within the Premier League, Sunderland are the proof they may proceed to level in the direction of.
Callum Bishop
Arsenal defence lastly breached as stress falls on forwards
Arsenal’s William Saliba (proper) and Riccardo Calafiori seem dejected following the 2-2 draw with Sunderland
Good issues can’t final ceaselessly, and within the case of Arsenal, their run of unpolluted sheets got here to its conclusion on the Stadium of Gentle.
An enormous 812 minutes after conceding their final aim, Dan Ballard proved it’s actually attainable to beat David Raya and reminded the Premier League that the Gunners are usually not impenetrable.
That doesn’t imply that Mikel Arteta’s facet at the moment are going to be conceding objectives left, proper and centre, nevertheless it does imply that on the different finish they may must be extra medical.
Arteta will level to the truth that he was with out a number of attacking choices. Viktor Gyokeres joined the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke on the sidelines, however the Gunners nonetheless created 17 possibilities.
Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard might have scored, however in addition they wasted good possibilities. William Saliba might not be the one you’d level at to seek out the online, however he too will look again on at present’s sport pondering they might have gotten his identify on the scoresheet.
Had one other clear sheet been secured, this wouldn’t have mattered within the grand scheme of issues. However, in the end, this may be pricey.
Saka’s high quality will not be doubtful. Trossard’s is underrated. Merino is a serviceable choice as a No 9. The burden will proceed to fall on them whereas different gamers regain their health, and their manufacturing will get known as into query if extra nights like this one start to impression their title cost.
Callum Bishop
