Arsenal have been denied the chance to make history by a former youth star against Sunderland.
Daniel Ballard fired the Black Cats ahead at the Stadium of Light with an excellent finish that flew past David Raya in the 36th minute.
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Dan Ballard celebrates for Sunderland.
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Arsenal academy product Ballard put Sunderland in frontCredit: Getty
Ballard spent 15 years at the Gunners - 12 of which were in the academy - before leaving north London for Sunderland in 2022.
Not only did Arsenal fall behind on Wearside, but they also missed out on the opportunity to make a stunning piece of football history.
Premier League leaders Arsenal could have become the first team in English football to win nine consecutive matches without conceding.
And keeping Sunderland at bay would have ensured club history by becoming the first Arsenal side to keep nine clean sheets in a row.
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Ballard's strike is the first goal Arsenal have let in since September 28.
That came on Arsenal's visit to Sunderland's rivals Newcastle.
Arsenal will hope it proves to be a good omen as they trailed 1-0 at half-time - just as they are doing at Sunderland - before winning.
Declan Rice came close to putting Arsenal ahead before Ballard's goal with a free-kick that was well-saved by Robin Roefs.
Just before half-time, William Saliba spurned a chance to equalise as his volleyed attempt inside the box flew over the bar.
Arsenal levelled in the 54th minute through Bukayo Saka, who netted his first league goal since a 2-0 win over West Ham on October 4.
Arsenal after conceding to Sunderland.
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Arsenal will not make history at the Stadium of LightCredit: AFP
Arsenal's dream eight-match run
After conceding to Newcastle, Arsenal kept clean sheets in 2-0 wins over Olympiacos and West Ham before a 1-0 victory at Fulham.
They then put four past Atletico Madrid without reply ahead of another narrow 1-0 triumph, this time at home to Crystal Palace.
Brighton and Burnley were the next two sides to not score against Arsenal in their respective 2-0 defeats.
Slavia Prague also went goalless during the week, but it's Sunderland who have ended the streak.
The goal was their first against Arsenal since 2021, when they lost 5-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.