Sunderland combat again with late Brobbey equaliser to carry leaders Arsenal | Premier League

Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as such a shock that the group that was in a position to gradual Arsenal’s title cost could be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after second-half objectives from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the guests within the lead following a first-half aim from the Sunderland captain, Dan Ballard.

It was a rocky evening for the Premier League leaders, however Arsenal have a seven-point benefit over Manchester Metropolis – who’re at dwelling to Liverpool on Sunday – and Sunderland, although Chelsea minimize the result in six by beating Wolves in Saturday’s later sport.

The aim from Ballard, a former Arsenal academy participant, ended a run of eight successive clear sheets in all competitions for Arsenal.

“They make it very tough,” stated Mikel Arteta. “The sport didn’t finish within the method that we needed.”

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 on the lookout for what he described as a brand new problem – has been excellent within the promoted facet’s midfield this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, however the 33-year-old’s kind on Wearside is not going to have shocked Arsenal followers. The Switzerland worldwide turned his Arsenal profession round below Arteta, who didn’t need to lose him.

Sunderland went into the sport with nothing to lose after making the most effective begin to a Premier League season by a promoted facet over 10 video games since Hull in 2008-09. A deflected strike from Xhaka towards Everton on Monday evening had lifted Sunderland as much as fourth, a place few dwelling supporters would have envisaged earlier than a ball was kicked provided that their group had spent eight years outdoors the highest flight.

Xhaka’s expertise, a lot of it gained throughout his seven years at Arsenal, and management have helped the group rapidly alter to Premier League soccer. He appeared to revel within the physicality of the competition.

Arteta, once more with out Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, taking part in up entrance after netting two objectives in Tuesday evening’s 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the house field. Merino was in a position to play on.

Eberechi Eze virtually took benefit of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who misplaced the ball on the sting of the field, however the shot flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot broad on the different finish earlier than one other prolonged stoppage after a conflict of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who needed to proceed with a head bandage.

A extra painful blow was to return subsequent for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland launched a free-kick into the visiting field and Ballard, signed from Arsenal three years in the past, held off Declan Rice to lash the ball previous David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the primary aim Arsenal had conceded in eight video games since their final go to to the north-east in late September, once they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Sunderland ensured that it was one other uncomfortable go to to the area for Arsenal, who discovered themselves pegged again for spells after the break.

They wanted a second of high quality, and it got here within the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing transfer involving Eze and Merino ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his close to publish.

Arsenal pushed for a second aim and Le Bris made three adjustments to his assault – he despatched on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – halfway by means of the second half.

One other second of high quality was not lengthy in coming. Arsenal labored the ball from proper to left, and Trossard, simply outdoors the field, discovered sufficient area to lash a right-foot shot into the highest left nook.

Raya needed to be alert within the final 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second aim, however couldn’t cease an acrobatic end from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the field. The strike was greeted by an enormous roar.

Fittingly, the previous Gunner Ballard had the ultimate say with a flying block on the toes of Merino within the sport’s final motion.

“Right here at Sunderland, we’ve got many gamers who will give their life to maintain a clear sheet or cease a shot,” stated Le Bris.