Sunderland showed their character with an injury time equaliser at home to Arsenal. Sunderland showed their intent early on, with a muscular aerial challenge from Dan Ballard resulting in treatment for Mikel Merino. Not that there was any foul play involved. Arsenal did show their own intent, Eberechi Eze finding an opening, but failing to break the deadlock. Although the first half was a scruffy affair, that certainly suited Sunderland, as they looked to keep Arsenal in their sights.
Arsenal have been known for their success with set pieces, but it was Sunderland who scored from one of their own on 36 minutes, with Ballard thumping in following a knockdown from Nordi Mukiele. It was an emphatic finish, after which Arsenal struggled to create any significant opportunities before the break.
Arsenal leveled nine minutes into the second-half. Declan Rice won the ball and played it into Merino, who had the presence of mind to play in Bukayo Saka, who beat Robin Roefs on his near post. The Gunners showed what they are made of by digging deep to go into the lead. Martin Zubimendi found Leandro Trossard on the edge of the box, after firing half a yard of space, he sent a rocket past Roefs to make it 2-1. It looked enough to see the Gunners take all three points, but in injury time, substitute Brian Brobbey scored an improbable equaliser with an acrobatic finish.
Sunderland v Arsenal Match Statistics
Sunderland
34%
6
2
2
4
2
Match Highlights
Sunderland Player Ratings
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GK: Robin Roefs - 6.5/10
Had to keep his wits about him as Arsenal grew into the game, but wouldn't have been happy to have been beaten on his near post.
RB: Trai Hume - 6.5/10
Looked a strong part of the home side's defensive unit in the first half, but was stretched in the second period.
CB: Nordi Mukiele - 7/10
Had the presence of mind to knock the ball down to his fellow centre back Ballard to open the scoring.
CB: Dan Ballard - 7/10
Rock solid commitment from the big Sunderland centre-half, and whacked a right-footer past Raya to put the home side ahead.
CB: Lutsharel Geertruida - 6.5/10
A physical and committed performance in the heart of the Sunderland defence.
LB: Reinildo Mandava - 6.5/10
Another who was prepared to graft as Sunderland looked to take something from the game.
RM: Bertrand Traore - 7/10
Another who put in a big and willing shift for the Black Cats.
CM: Granit Xhaka - 7/10
Marshaled the Sunderland midfield as the home side showed just how confident they have become.
CM: Noah Sadiki - 7/10
Full of purpose and running as Sunderland worked to keep the Gunners at bay.
LM: Enzo La Fee - 6.5/10
Bright and busy and often a pain in the neck for Arsenal.
CF: Wilson Isidor - 7/10
Seemed very happy to get through his work rate and was a willing runner and was a handful for Arsenal.
SUB: Brian Brobbey - 7/10
Given the last 25 minutes as Sunderland looked to galvanise their troops and scored a dramatic equaliser.
SUB: Chemsdine Talbi - 5/10
Within 10 minutes of coming on Sunderland were behind and Talbi was up against it to help the home side back into the game.
SUB: Simon Adingra - 5/10
Unfortunately for Adingra, Sunderland had lost their momentum when he came on the field.
SUB: Eliezer Mayenda - 5/10
Brought on in the final moments, but it didn't give Mayenda enough time to make an impression.
Arsenal Player Ratings
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GK: David Raya - 6/10
ln no way at fault for Ballard's goal and maintained his composure throughout.
RB: Jurrien Timber - 7/10
Looked very solid, but had to help his side ride the storm after Sunderland took the lead.
CB: William Saliba - 6.5/10
Had to dig his heels in and really compete as Sunderland scrapped for every ball.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - 6.5/10
Had his hands full taking care of Wilson Isidor, as Arsenal looked to get back into the game.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori - 6.5/10
Grew into the game and showed some intelligent running.
RM: Eberechi Eze - 6.5/10
Had his usual assured touch and looked at times the Gunners' most likely threat in the first-half.
CM: Martin Zubimendi - 6/10
The first half, in particular, was perhaps the Spaniard's biggest challenge this season, as he wasn't able to influence the game as he can.
LM: Declan Rice - 6.5/10
Worked tirelessly even when things weren't going his way. Won the ball back in a crucial area that led to the Arsenal equaliser.
RW: Bukayo Saka - 7/10
Didn't influence the game at anywhere near the level he would have expected in the first half, but scored the equaliser and improved in the second-half.
CF: Mikel Merino - 6.5/10
Felt the force of a full-blooded challenge from Ballard, but still offered a threat with his intelligent movement.
LW: Leandro Trossard - 7/10
Unable to impact the game as Arsenal struggled to dictate the game in the first-half, but was on hand to put the Gunners in the lead with a wonderful strike.
SUB: Cristhian Mosquera - 5/10
Brought on with minutes left as Arsenal looked to lock things up at the back.