Sunderland held Premier League title-chasers Arsenal in an enthralling contest
Alan Shearer
(Image: BBC)
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Sunderland's battling 2-2 draw against title-chasing Arsenal on Saturday had pundits purring and praising their approach.
The Black Cats kept fighting all the way against their illustrious rivals, finally gaining a deserved point after Brian Bobbey's 94th-minute equaliser earned them a 2-2 draw.
Dan Ballard - who came through the Arsenal academy - had given Sunderland a first-half lead as the visitors let in a goal for the first time in 812 minutes, but Mikel Arteta's side came out strongly after the break and levelled through Bukayo Saka.
Leandro Trossard sent a superb 20-yard finish into the top left corner to seemingly win the game for the Gunners but substitute Bobbey sent the home fans wild when he hooked home deep in stoppage time to level the game.
Sunderland were driven on by two former Arsenal players in particular - Granit Xhaka, who refused to be bullied by his old club - and Ballard, who's aggressive defending was a feature of Sunderland's play.
The latter caught the eye of former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer, who praised his performance as setting the tone for the rest of the team.
Dan Ballard celebrates after opening the scoring for Sunderland against Arsenal.
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Shearer told Match of the Day: "Ballard epitomised everything Sunderland have done so well, with his aggression and stopping Arsenal play.
"They are really, really tough to play against and there were so many examples of him and his team putting their bodies in the line. Arsenal will not have many tougher games than that this season, and Sunderland thoroughly deserved the point."
Shearer's fellow MoTD pundit Theo Walcott was equally fulsome in his praise for the Black Cats, hailing their physicality and energy levels as they left Arsenal 'rattled'.
"Sunderland went physical today but within the laws of the game, apart from one moment in the first half when Dan Ballard challenged Mikel Merino in the box," the former Arsenal forward said.
"They were well organised and I didn't think they'd be able to keep it up for 90 minutes.
"There's a reason why Sunderland will be fine in this league. The Stadium of Light is not an easy place to play football.
"It was the most rattled I've seen Gabriel and William Saliba this season."
The draw pushed Sunderland up into fourth spot before Sunday's games and means they remain unbeaten at home. They have 19 points from 11 games, and sit nine points above the bottom three.