Arsenal’s 10-game winning streak came to an end at the Stadium of Light as they conceded for the first time in eight games and were hit by a late Sunderland equaliser courtesy of Brian Brobbey.
Sunderland who currently sit in 4th place continued their incredible run of form this season as they held the league leaders to a point.
Le Bris’ Blueprint
Regis Le Bris’ side went out with a gameplan to make it extremely difficult for Arsenal, which they executed perfectly in the first half.
They showed their bravery and commitment to getting a result almost instantly in the first half, winning the ball high a few times and making Arsenal look very uncomfortable on the ball.
When the game settled slightly, Arsenal seemed more confident in possession, though they looked blunt going forward, which could’ve been expected with their attacking injuries, but Sunderland’s low block and brilliant box defending played just as much part.
Sunderland’s energy and commitment were absolutely phenomenal as they chased down every second ball, and looked like the side that wanted it more, something which is rare from any team facing Arsenal.
Their first half efforts were rewarded in the 36th minute, when Robin Roefs launched the ball into the Arsenal box, where Nordi Mukiele would win the header against Gabriel after the ball had bounced over Daniel Ballard and Declan Rice.
With Mukiele heading it towards Ballard who got in front of Rice, who should’ve done better to track his man, with the Northern Irish defender taking the ball and finishing like a centre forward to put Sunderland ahead and ending Arsenal’s run of clean sheets.
Sunderland saw out the first half relatively comfortably after the goal, having played to their strengths and laying out a guide on how to make things difficult for Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Comeback Ruined
The Gunners came out for the second half with far more attacking intent and threat, as they put the Black Cats under far more pressure and looked a lot more like the league leaders we know.
This pressure would make Sunderland seem far less assured in build-up, dawdling on the ball in front of their own box, which they would pay for as Rice pressed Enzo Le Fee as he looked panicked, winning the ball and finding Eberechi Eze.
Eze played it to Mikel Merino who found Bukayo Saka, with the winger beating Roefs at his near post brilliantly to put Arsenal level and punishing Sunderland for their mistakes.
From the start of the second half, Arsenal really got into the game, having one of their best periods of the season, particularly at creating chances from open play, though they couldn’t quite beat Roefs from many of these chances.
Leandro Trossard would be the man to put Arsenal ahead however, as he received the ball on the edge of the box, with Noah Sadiki standing him up, he patiently waited for his opportunity to create separation, which he did so brilliantly.
Trossard fired an absolute rocket at goal, beating Roefs to put Arsenal ahead and setting Arsenal up to see the game out.
With Arteta’s side seeming to tire towards the end, they sat deep as they looked to see out the game, bringing only Cristhian Mosquera on, which saw them drop into a 6-3-1/6-2-2 low block at times.
Their tiredness, as well as their poor box defending on the day, something we don’t ever really see from Arsenal, came to bite them in the 93rd minute.
With Trai Hume’s ball going into the box, Ballard pushed back into Zubimendi, forcing him into a poor header towards danger.
Gabriel was outmuscled for the goal, with testament to Brian Brobbey who’s ability to go against any defender with his physicality, he got onto the end of the ball before David Raya could claim it and hit home to secure the draw for Sunderland.
Brilliant Ballard
It felt as though Dan Ballard summed up Sunderland’s excellent performance at the Stadium of Light, defending his box extremely well, scoring the first goal and contributing massively to the equaliser.
Ballard, who used to be in the Arsenal academy, won man of the match and his numbers certainly prove why, as he dealt with every ball that came at him from Arsenal.
Sunderland once again showed against Arsenal why they’ve not only been one of the most impressive of the promoted sides this season, but one of the most impressive sides throughout the Premier League, with massive credit to Regis Le Bris.
Arsenal will be disappointed with not winning against Sunderland, though with the context of many of their players looking tired towards the end of the game, and the excellent performance of their opposition, it is a good point all things considered.
There will be plenty of reason for Sunderland to be delighted with their performance, and as long as Arteta is able to use his squad more and they can catch a break with injuries, there will be no reason for Arsenal to panic.
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There is a pattern here. Arsenal seems really uncomfortable facing low blocks. So, team who knows got no chance winning playing football decide to défend and wait. That's exactly what the likes of Newcastle and Sunderland did against them, despite being the home side. Coincidence that they are neighbors? 😂