Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland in the Premier League with the Black Cats scoring two controversial goals at the Stadium of Light
Kieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist and Neil Docking
14:01, 10 Nov 2025
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal could only secure a 2-2 draw with Sunderland
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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal could only secure a 2-2 draw with Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has given his take on three contentious incidents from Sunderland's thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
Despite superb goals from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, the Premier League leaders had to make do with a single point. Sunderland broke the deadlock just past the half-hour mark, courtesy of Arsenal's former academy player Dan Ballard, who became the first opponent to score against David Raya in more than 800 minutes.
He displayed the coolness of a forward as he collected and blasted home Nordi Mukiele's header from a Robin Roefs free-kick. Saka levelled the scores shortly after the interval, following excellent build-up play by Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino, with Rice dispossessing Enzo Le Fee for the Gunners.
With about 35 minutes left to find a winning goal, it seemed like the North London giants had done just that when Trossard fired a thunderbolt from the edge of the box.
However, Sunderland managed to preserve their unbeaten home record when late substitute Brian Brobbey equalised deep into stoppage time, as Arsenal struggled to deal with another high ball into the box, reports Football London.
Arsenal's Mikel Merino receives treatment for a possible head injury against Sunderland
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Arsenal's Mikel Merino receives treatment for a possible head injury against Sunderland(Image: PA)
It was Ballard who claimed the first aerial duel this time, but some felt the centre-back was lucky to remain on the field following an early clash with Mikel Merino.
The pair battled for a delivery into the penalty area with Ballard securing the header but catching Merino with his elbow in the process.
The Spain midfielder needed extensive medical attention, yet both referee Craig Pawson and VAR concluded it wasn't a foul or violent conduct. Mikel Arteta was livid straight after the incident, and Gallagher has now shared his verdict on what happened.
Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch, he said: "VAR looked at it. I don't think it's a foul. His used his arms for leverage. If anything, Merino comes into him. There's a clash but there's clashes all the time in football. It's strong defending."
Brian Brobbey's goal against Arsenal led to complaints from the Gunners and some of their fans
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Brian Brobbey's goal against Arsenal led to complaints from the Gunners and some of their fans(Image: Getty Images)
Ballard's strike also came amid controversy, with Martin Zubimendi harshly penalised for a challenge that directly resulted in Arsenal's first concession since late September.
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"I think he's unlucky to give a free-kick away, even more unlucky to get a yellow card," Gallagher admitted. "It's possibly a mis-read by the referee."
The former official saw nothing problematic with Sunderland's leveller, despite protests about a high boot spearheaded by Gabriel Magalhaes. "A really, really good goal. He only has eyes on the ball. The [Arsenal] player has ducked in. For me, a good goal," he admitted.