The Arsenal boss was vocal during the game and afterwards about Sunderland's play
Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match against Sunderland
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered a grudging compliment to Sunderland as he praised their physicality and strength following a tough day at the Stadium of Light.
The Gunners have built a strong reputation of their own off the back of being aggressive and physical, particularly from set pieces both in attack and defence. When it happens to them, however, Arteta often takes offence.
Sunderland went toe to toe with Arsenal on Saturday teatime and came away with a deserved point as goals from Dan Ballard and then a late, late equaliser by Brian Bobbey earned them a 2-2 draw.
They were the first goals Arsenal had conceded since Nick Woltemade's header for Newcastle, and Arteta admitted his side had been in a battle - calling Sunderland 'disruptive' and saying his side had failed to dominate the opposition.
“We had to navigate through a really tough game,” said Arteta, who had been vocal in his complaints and moans during the match.
“We knew that - it was very disruptive. We had to deal with situations that are obviously difficult to deal with.
“They do it really well, and we conceded a goal that is not in our standards. But after that, I think the team reacted really well, showed a lot of personality and courage.
"We scored the first goal, then the second and the game was dominated. But in any moment, they just need a foul or a long throw, a direct ball to create that chaos."
“But you have to rely on defending the box when they start to commit six or seven players there. It can be from a direct play, it can be from a throw-in, it can be from any situation. We can defend the action better, and today we haven't done it. We conceded the goal.”
The draw pushed Sunderland up into fourth spot before Sunday's games and extended their unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light. Relegation fears are now almost banished, while Arsenal are six points clear at the top.
“You have to credit the opposition,” added Arteta. “They are here and competing for a reason, and they do what they do really, really well.
"They make it very difficult for you. You have to be very patient, you have to dominate certain things in order to end the right to dominate the game in the manner that you want. We did that much better in the second half.
“This is the Premier League, and you don't get to go to a place in the Premier League where you think you're going to have a comfortable afternoon.
“And again, it’s not a coincidence what they [Sunderland] are doing. They deserve to be where they are - and we do as well.”