Sunderland Fight Back with Injury-Time Brobbey Equaliser to Draw With Table-Toppers Arsenal
Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.
A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners
It was a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.
The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team
The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.
The Home Side's Strong Start
Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade outside the top flight.
His Experience and Leadership
The player's experience, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.
Early Moments and Knocks
The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from the defender as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.
Eze almost cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.
Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.
The Hosts Go Ahead
A tougher setback was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.
The Gunners had maintained a team best 8 successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.
The Gunners Fight Back
Sunderland made sure that it was a further difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the break.
They needed a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack featuring the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.
Arsenal pressed for a next score and the coach made three changes to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.
The Winger Increases the Advantage
A further moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, created enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top left corner.
Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey
The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.
Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.
