Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal: Premier League leaders Arsenal looked on the verge of a decisive victory at the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats only snatched a point in dramatic circumstances.
Arsenal missed out on a decisive victory at the Stadium of Light as they were caught up late on by a tenacious Sunderland side.
Dan Ballard put Sunderland ahead with a fine finish, ending Arsenal’s long run without conceding a goal. However, the visitors equalized in the opening minutes of the second half thanks to Bukayo Saka’s deadly strike.
Martin Zvimendi then almost turned the ball around but hit the crossbar. The Gunners also had a great goal from Belgian winger Leandro Trossard.
It looked like the points would go to North London, but Brian Brobbey acrobaticly equalized late on. The points of discussion at the Stadium of Light are as follows.
read more: Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Gabriel Jesus transfer to Arsenal following injury updateread more: Declan Rice has already made Arsenal’s point clear amid criticism of Paul Scholes
Ballard scores again
Dan Ballard has developed a very useful habit of finding the back of the net at important moments for Sunderland. And his latest attack was against arguably his toughest opponent yet. The defender came through Arsenal’s academy without making a single appearance, but was sent out on a series of loans before finding a permanent home at the Stadium of Light.
For the goal against Arsenal, he latched on to a long ball, brushing off Declan Rice on the way and firing the ball past David Raya into the Arsenal goal. It was the work of a cultured striker rather than a burly centre-back, but it was understandable that something spectacular was needed to end Arsenal’s long run without conceding a goal.
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Xhaka continues to shine
There were some familiar faces on the Sunderland side of the Stadium of Light. Granit Xhaka made his first appearance since joining Bayer Leverkusen against Arsenal.
Xhaka has been fantastic for Sunderland so far and has been equally impressive against his former team. The Swiss midfielder gave a much-needed head of experience and collection to a side under pressure against perhaps the toughest opposition they have faced this season.
And his performances alongside his Sunderland team-mates were enough to earn them a dramatic point in the North East.
Saka jumps on error
Sunderland’s captain was the key to their great performance, but Arsenal challenged their captain to dig them out of a hole. Enzo Le Fey lost the ball to Rice, who rolled it to Mikel Merino.
The Spaniard bided his time and made a perfect pass to Bukayo Saka, who slotted past Robin Rufus to equalize. This was Saka’s sixth goal of the season, already half of his total from last season.
Trossard turns things around
From the moment Saka’s equalizer found the back of the net, it looked like there could only be one winner, with Sunderland’s goal under siege for much of the second half.
Arteta’s side deservedly took the lead with 15 minutes remaining. Leandro Trossard picked up the ball on the corner of the penalty area, created space for himself and fired a superb shot on target.
Although he is no longer considered a mainstay in the Arsenal side, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a trump card for the Gunners.
Blobby from Heartbreaker
Arsenal were in the ascendancy for much of the second half. And it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest they deserved the three points. But this is football.
The ball was thrown into Arsenal’s box as Sunderland desperately tried to find an equaliser. Summer signing Blobby outplayed Gabriel and instinctively threw out his leg to force the ball home.
Given Sunderland’s form this season, a point wouldn’t be the end of the world, but Arteta and his players will be heartbroken to have left the door ajar for Liverpool and Manchester City.
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