Arsenal missed the possibility to go 9 factors clear on the prime as they had been held to a dramatic draw by the Premier League’s shock package deal.
Arsenal missed the possibility to go 9 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League as Brian Brobbey’s 94th-minute equaliser preserved Sunderland’s unbeaten dwelling report in an exhilarating sport on the Stadium of Gentle.
With Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool dealing with one another Sunday, the Gunners had the chance to pile the stress on their title challengers with victory on Wearside. It was an opportunity they had been broadly anticipated to take having gained their final 10 video games in all competitions.
However they fell behind within the thirty fifth minute as Dan Ballard gave shock package deal Sunderland the lead with a fierce close-range strike.
That marked the primary objective Arsenal had conceded since September 28, when Nick Woltemade put Newcastle United forward at St James’ Park.
Mikel Arteta’s males had been a lot improved after the break and turned the sport round by way of a Bukayo Saka equaliser and Leandro Trossard’s spectacular long-range effort.
But there was a late twist within the story, which arrived as Brobbey beat Gabriel to the ball after Trai Hume’s supply into the field was flicked on into his path, the Netherlands striker flicking past David Raya to rescue some extent and finish Arsenal’s lengthy profitable run.
The outcome means Sunderland transfer up into third, some extent forward of defending champions Liverpool, forward of Sunday’s fixtures. Arsenal’s setback will give the Reds further motivation for the conflict with Metropolis, who will inside 4 factors of the Gunners with a win over Arne Slot’s facet.
Arsenal endure irritating first half
Arsenal had been exasperated early on when makeshift striker Mikel Merino, beginning rather than the injured Viktor Gyokeres, went down within the space after being caught within the face by the arm of Ballard.
Merino required prolonged therapy, however the incident was not checked by VAR for a possible penalty.
The guests’ frustration could have been furthered by their incapability to create clear-cut probabilities, although Eberechi Eze curled narrowly over and Declan Rice examined Robin Roefs from a free-kick.
And Arsenal had been punished for his or her lack of innovative as their former academy graduate Ballard outmuscled Rice and met Nordi Mukiele’s knockdown with a pushed end that left David Raya with no probability.
Brobbey denies Gunners on the dying
Arsenal’s better management was rapidly evident within the second half and, after losing one clear alternative to stage, Saka made no mistake when a second probability got here alongside as Rice made amends for his earlier defensive lapse.
Rice dispossessed Enzo Le Payment and Eze and Merino mixed brilliantly to tee up Saka to beat Roefs on the close to submit.
Martin Zubimendi then squirmed an effort extensive after being performed in by the superb Trossard, and the identical participant was then denied by the crossbar as Arsenal piled on the stress.
Their dominance finally advised in spectacular vogue within the 74th minute, Trossard cleverly creating house for himself on the sting of the world earlier than unleashing a shocking strike past the helpless Roefs.
It regarded as if that might be sufficient for the Gunners to cement their grip on prime spot, however Brobbey’s willpower to beat Gabriel to the ball as a substitute dealt Arsenal an surprising setback, with parity preserved by an analogous present of grit from Ballard as he blocked Merino’s goal-bound effort after Roefs had denied Riccardo Calafiori.
