Substitute Brian Brobbey’s 94th-minute equalizer saw Sunderland snatch a point from Premier League leaders Arsenal in dramatic fashion at the Stadium of Light.
After goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard appeared to have completed a dominant second-half comeback for the Gunners, Blobby made himself a hero by punching David Raya home.
The shocking end to the story sees Mikel Arteta’s side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, while Sunderland move into fourth place ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Super Sunday, live on Sky.
Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey scores the equalizer in stoppage time of the second half
Dan Ballard gave the hosts the lead in the first half, confirming Sunderland’s status as this season’s Premier League surprise package.
Both teams went into this game with the best defensive records in the Premier League, and by the time the clock hit three minutes, Arsenal had gone 13 hours without conceding a goal in all competitions.
However, their good progress didn’t last long, as their resistance was ironically broken by a set piece after 812 minutes.
Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard celebrates his goal against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light
A deep free-kick from Robin Roofs forward fell to Nordi Mukiele and was cleared by former Arsenal academy product Ballard, who swung past Raya and sent the roof of the Stadium of Light flying off.
This forced Arsenal to do something they hadn’t done since their come-from-behind win against Newcastle in September.
Mikel Arteta’s comments in the away dressing room clearly galvanized the Gunners heading into the second period.
The Gunners relentlessly pursued an equalizer. It started with Declan Rice stealing the ball from a sloppy Enzo Le Fee and the ball flowing to Saka, who fired a shot past Roofs at the near post.
From that point on, it looked like only one team would win the game, as Martin Zvimendi’s shot hit the crossbar.
Trossard fired a rocket from just outside the penalty area that hit the roof of the goal.
Leandro Trossard (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring Arsenal’s second goal
That was until Blobby showed up and snatched a point from Regis Le Bris’ side. The team still needed a challenge from Ballard on the other end late in the game to defend an almost certain winner from Mikel Merino.
Arteta: “Sunderland will take the game in the direction they want”
Mikel Arteta believes stoppage time difference speaks volumes for draw against Sunderland
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports:
“It was a really tough test. You could tell by the way they set up. It’s because of them that they make it so difficult. They always take the game into the area they want.”
“The time added at the end of each half speaks for itself. That’s normal. Regis and his team tried to do their best and we tried to do the same.”
“What we had to improve on was looking at the way we conceded goals. It’s very obvious what they do and they do it very well. We need to show it and practice it and execute it on the pitch.”
“We needed a goal to believe in. We scored it and put them in a bad position. We created a lot of chances and then we scored the second goal, which was the most difficult thing to do.”
“It’s another direct ball. We lost the flick, but the striker anticipated the bounce and moved his feet incredibly, scoring the goal.”
Le Bris: “We had to be at our best to draw against Arsenal”
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris told Sky Sports:
“I think we once again showed our individuality and unity. We struggled as expected against a really strong team. We showed that even when we experience difficult moments, we can change the dynamic until the end and create something.”
“We had to be the best Sunderland possible in different phases. The first half was interesting. We were balanced. We were organized out of position and had the ability to threaten the opposition with set pieces.”
“We had good players who could handle the ball. It got a little tougher in the second half. We were more vulnerable with the ball and that’s why we conceded goals like that. But we have a really young team with no Premier League experience, so it was a really good lesson.”
“We have a balanced squad with different options, different profiles. When we were preparing for this season, it was very important to add physicality, and I think you can see that today.”
Sunderland have proven they can make anyone play their way.
Granit Xhaka celebrates result against Arsenal at full time
You will have noticed that Sunderland were at the bottom of the Premier League table which many predicted at the start of the season. But results like this prove exactly why they’re not even close to falling.
Indeed, the Black Cats were at the mercy of Arsenal in the second half, with Arsenal looking like they were going to score on almost every attack. But the beginning was a completely different story.
Regis Le Bris’ team put in a great performance in the first 45 minutes. And it wasn’t by playing the prettiest football. It was by forcing their opponents to play the game the way they wanted.
The resolute nature of Sunderland’s rearguard performance began to frustrate the Gunners and by the time they conceded a goal, they simply played into the hands of the hosts. Stupid free kick, rushed decision in the final third. True, after the break they calmed down, but Sunderland rattled them.
The fact that they were able to achieve this against a side who would have been nine points clear at the top of the Premier League if they had won speaks volumes about what the newly-promoted side have been able to do. Tonight and throughout the season so far.
When people say there are no easy games in the Premier League, Sunderland are proof they will continue to pay attention.
Callum Bishop
The pressure was on the forwards and Arsenal’s defense was finally broken.
Arsenal’s William Saliba (right) and Riccardo Calafioli look depressed after the 2-2 draw with Sunderland
Good things don’t last forever and in Arsenal’s case, their clean sheet ended at the Stadium of Light.
812 minutes after their last goal conceded, Dan Ballard proved it is indeed possible to beat David Raya, reminding the Premier League that the Gunners are not invincible.
That doesn’t mean Mikel Arteta’s side will be conceding goals left, right or centre, but it does mean they will need to be more clinical at the other end.
Arteta will point out that he lacked some attacking options. Victor Gokeres was joined on the sideline by Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke, but the Gunners still created 17 chances.
Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard may have scored, but they also squandered good chances. William Saliba may not be the type of player to hit the net, but when he looks back on today’s game, he will think he might see his name on the scoresheet.
If we had gotten one more clean sheet, it wouldn’t have mattered in the grand scheme of things. But it ends up costing you more.
There is no doubting Saka’s quality. Trossard is underrated. Merino is a viable option as a number 9. The strain will continue to be on the other players until they get back to fitness, and if more nights like this start to affect their title chances, their performances will be called into question.
Callum Bishop
