Substitute Brian Brobbey’s 94th-minute equaliser saw Sunderland snatch a point over Premier League leaders Arsenal in dramatic fashion at the Stadium of Light.
Brobbey made himself the hero as he beat David Raya to the punch to fire home after goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had seen the Gunners seemingly complete a dominant second-half comeback.
Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey scores a stoppage-time equaliser in the second half
Dan Ballard had given the hosts the lead in the first half to back up Sunderland’s status as the surprise package of the Premier League this season.
The two sides went into the contest with the best defensive records in the Premier League, and as the clock ticked into the third minute, Arsenal entered their 13th hour without conceding in all competitions.
That run wouldn’t last much longer, though, as for the first time in 812 minutes, their resistance was shattered, rather ironically, by a set-piece.
Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light
A deep free-kick sent forward by Robin Roefs fell to Nordi Mukiele, who nodded it down to former Arsenal academy graduate Ballard, who smashed past Raya to blow the roof off the Stadium of Light.
It forced Arsenal to do something they hadn’t done since their September meeting with Newcastle, which was to come from behind.
Whatever Mikel Arteta said in the away dressing room clearly fired the Gunners up for the second period.
The Gunners were relentless in their pursuit of an equaliser. It came as Declan Rice snatched possession from a sloppy Enzo Le Fee, with the ball subsequently being worked to Saka who fired past Roefs at the near post.
From that point on, it looked like only one team was going to win the game as Martin Zubimendi saw an effort cannon off the crossbar.
The three points looked to have been sealed in sumptuous fashion, Trossard unleashing a rocket from just outside the penalty area that rifled into the roof of the net.
Leandro Trossard (centre) celebrates with team-mates after scoring Arsenal’s second goal
That was until Brobbey popped up to snatch a point for Regis Le Bris’ side, who even at that late stage still needed Ballard’s challenge at the other end to save a near-certain winner from Mikel Merino.
The showstopping end to the tale means Mikel Arteta’s men extend their lead to seven points at the top of the Premier League, while Sunderland move to third ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Super Sunday, live on Sky.
Sunderland prove they can force anyone into playing their way
Granit Xhaka celebrates the result against Arsenal at full-time
You would have found Sunderland at the bottom of many people’s predicted Premier League tables at the start of the season. But results like this one prove exactly why they aren’t anywhere near the drop.
Admittedly, in the second half, the Black Cats were at the mercy of Arsenal, who looked likely to score with almost every attack. In the first, though, it was a very different tale.
Regis Le Bris’ side put in a commanding first 45 minutes. And it wasn’t by playing the most beautiful football. It was by forcing their opponents to play the game exactly how they wanted it to be played.
The resolute nature of Sunderland’s rearguard performance began to irritate the Gunners, and by the time they conceded they were just playing into the hands of the hosts. Silly free-kicks, rushed decisions in the final third. Yes, they composed themselves after the break, but Sunderland left them rattled.
The fact they were able to do this against a side that could have gone nine points clear at the top of the Premier League had they won, speaks volumes about what the newly promoted side have been able to do. Both tonight and through the season to date.
When people say there are no easy games in the Premier League, Sunderland are the evidence they will continue to point towards.
Callum Bishop
Arsenal defence finally breached as pressure falls on forwards
Arsenal’s William Saliba (right) and Riccardo Calafiori appear dejected following the 2-2 draw with Sunderland
Good things can’t last forever, and in the case of Arsenal, their run of clean sheets came to its conclusion at the Stadium of Light.
A huge 812 minutes after conceding their last goal, Dan Ballard proved it is in fact possible to beat David Raya and reminded the Premier League that the Gunners are not impenetrable.
That does not mean that Mikel Arteta’s side are now going to be conceding goals left, right and centre, but it does mean that at the other end they will need to be more clinical.
Arteta will point to the fact that he was without several attacking options. Viktor Gyokeres joined the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke on the sidelines, but the Gunners still created 17 chances.
Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard may have scored, but they also wasted good chances. William Saliba may not be the one you would point at to find the net, but he too will look back on today’s game thinking they could have got his name on the scoresheet.
Had another clean sheet been secured, this wouldn’t have mattered in the grand scheme of things. But, ultimately, this would be costly.
Saka’s quality is not in doubt. Trossard’s is underrated. Merino is a serviceable option as a No 9. The weight will continue to fall on them while other players regain their fitness, and their production will get called into question if more nights like this one begin to impact their title charge.
Callum Bishop
