Substitute Brian Brobbey's 94th-minute equaliser saw Sunderland snatch a point over Premier League leaders Arsenal in dramatic fashion at the Stadium of Light.
Brobbey made himself the hero as he beat David Raya to the punch to fire home after goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had seen the Gunners seemingly complete a dominant second-half comeback.
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey scores a stoppage-time equaliser in the second half
Image: Sunderland's Brian Brobbey scores a stoppage-time equaliser in the second half
Dan Ballard had given the hosts the lead in the first half to back up Sunderland's status as the surprise package of the Premier League this season.
Team news
Granit Xhaka captained Sunderland, who were unchanged from the team who drew against Everton.
Mikel Arteta made one enforced change to the team that beat Burnley, with Viktor Gyokeres unavailable through injury and Mikel Merino assuming his role as a makeshift number nine
The two sides went into the contest with the best defensive records in the Premier League, and as the clock ticked into the third minute, Arsenal entered their 13th hour without conceding in all competitions.
That run wouldn’t last much longer, though, as for the first time in 812 minutes, their resistance was shattered, rather ironically, by a set-piece.
Sunderland's Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light
Image: Sunderland's Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light
A deep free-kick sent forward by Robin Roefs fell to Nordi Mukiele, who nodded it down to former Arsenal academy graduate Ballard, who smashed past Raya to blow the roof off the Stadium of Light.
It forced Arsenal to do something they hadn’t done since their September meeting with Newcastle, which was to come from behind.
Whatever Mikel Arteta said in the away dressing room clearly fired the Gunners up for the second period.
The Gunners were relentless in their pursuit of an equaliser. It came as Declan Rice snatched possession from a sloppy Enzo Le Fee, with the ball subsequently being worked to Saka who fired past Roefs at the near post.
Player ratings:
Sunderland: Roefs (7), Hume (6), Mukiele (7), Ballard (9), Geertruida (6), Reinildo (7), Traore (6), Xhaka (7), Sadiki (7), Le Fee (5), Isidor (6)
Subs: Brobbey (7), Talbi (6), Adinga (6), Mayend (N/A)
Arsenal: Raya (7), Timber (7), Saliba (6), Gabriel (6), Calafiori (7), Zubimendi (7), Rice (6), Saka (8), Eze (7), Trossard (8), Merino (6)
Subs: Mosquera (N/A)
Player of the Match: Ballard
From that point on, it looked like only one team was going to win the game as Martin Zubimendi saw an effort cannon off the crossbar.
The three points looked to have been sealed in sumptuous fashion, Trossard unleashing a rocket from just outside the penalty area that rifled into the roof of the net.
Leandro Trossard (centre) celebrates with team-mates after scoring Arsenal's second goal
Image: Leandro Trossard (centre) celebrates with team-mates after scoring Arsenal's second goal
That was until Brobbey popped up to snatch a point for Regis Le Bris' side, who even at that late stage still needed Ballard's challenge at the other end to save a near-certain winner from Mikel Merino.
The showstopping end to the tale means Mikel Arteta's men extend their lead to seven points at the top of the Premier League, while Sunderland move to third ahead of Manchester City's clash with Liverpool on Super Sunday, live on Sky.
More to follow.
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