Brian Brobbey amazing acrobatic leveller make Arsenal miss important win for Premier League title race as Sunderland hold Gunners 2-2 draw.
Dem expect say Arsenal go face one of their toughest games for season for Stadium of Light, and first half show say na true. Arsenal finally concede after 812 minutes without wahala.
Former Arsenal academy player Dan Ballard pain im old club with fine finish near end of first half, wey show visitors still dey struggle with open-play creativity.
But Arsenal second-half hustle pay after just nine minutes when Bukayo Saka equalise, take advantage of Sunderland carelessness.
Gunners no stop dey pressure after Saka goal, and comeback look set with 20 minutes to go, thanks to brilliant 20-yard strike from Leandro Trossard. Mikel Arteta switch to defence-heavy shape to protect lead, but for first time in long, Gunners defence fail as Brian Brobbey acrobatically score last-minute equaliser.
Even so, Arsenal still dey seven points clear top Premier League table before Manchester City play Liverpool tomorrow.
TPB VERDICT
Champions dey find way to win these kain games. No doubt say Arsenal still be favourites for Premier League crown – their lead for top dey proof – but tonight show say dem no invincible. Sunderland, wey just come from Championship last season, don show say dem no be pushovers, and nothing talk say dem no fit reach European places this season.
Brobbey strike pain Arsenal heart, but second-half response give fresh hope. Arteta men again silence critics. No cause for panic, even if two points drop.
Sunderland vs. Arsenal Highlights
Daniel Ballard goal vs Arsenal (36th min, Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal)
Arsenal clean sheet run don end thanks to old flame!
Robin Roefs punt long free kick, Gunners fail handle am, Nordi Mukiele pass ball give Ballard, wey run past Declan Rice, lash ball enter roof of net with outside of boot.
Bukayo Saka goal vs Sunderland (54th min, Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal)
Na come, and e no come from set-piece! Sunderland dey slow with ball – Enzo Le Fee lose possession near own box, Declan Rice collect am. Arsenal get four-on-two, after play between Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino, Saka score near post.
Leandro Trossard goal vs Sunderland (74th min, Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal)
Trossard fit shoot from left, arrow finish enter top corner from outside box.
Brian Brobbey goal vs Arsenal (90+4 min, Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal)
Scenes for Sunderland! Ballard win duel, flick ball to Brobbey, wey out-muscle Gabriel Magalhaes, acrobatically flick ball past Raya to equalise last-minute.
Man of the Match – Dan Ballard
Old Gunner steal spotlight. Ballard score first, set up second, make heroic block deny Merino winner last-minute. Truly exemplary.
Sunderland vs Arsenal Match Stats
- Possession: Sunderland 35%-65% Arsenal
- Shots: Sunderland 6-17 Arsenal
- Shots on target: Sunderland 2-7 Arsenal
- Corners: Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
- Fouls: Sunderland 13-13 Arsenal
Wetin Next?
Arsenal fans go dey wait nervously for North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur after international break, then three days later Bayern Munich for Champions League.
Sunderland go play another London club, travel Craven Cottage to face Fulham on November 22.
