Substitute’s first PL goal puts Black Cats third and curtails Gunners’ five-match league winning streak
Brian Brobbey’s acrobatic equaliser four minutes into second-half stoppage time saw Sunderland salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners travelled to the Stadium of Light hunting a fifth successive league victory, which would have taken them nine points clear ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster meeting between rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
They fell behind to a crisp strike from their former academy graduate Dan Ballard in the 36th minute, only to turn the game on its head via second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
But Brobbey – who was sent on as part of a triple substitution from Regis Le Bris just after the hour mark – brilliantly flicked in from Ballard’s header over David Raya while in mid-air to spark wild celebrations.
Ballard was then called upon to make a heroic block to preserve Sunderland’s point, which takes them third in the table, seven points adrift of Arsenal.
How the match unfolded
After a stop-start opening, it was Sunderland who struck first. Ballard flicked Robin Roefs’ free-kick on to Nordi Mukiele, and when the Frenchman knocked the ball back into his path, the centre-back rifled into the roof of the net.
William Saliba missed a glorious chance to level in first-half stoppage time, skewing a volley high into the stands, while Saka dragged an effort wide early in the second half.
The England international made no such mistake when Enzo Le Fee surrendered possession to Declan Rice in the 54th minute, though. The ball was moved on to Saka via Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino, and he drilled home right-footed.
Arsenal continued to hunt a second goal as Martin Zubimendi rattled the crossbar with a sumptuous volley, and Sunderland’s resistance was broken when Trossard shimmied past Noah Sadiki before beating Roefs from range in the 74th minute.
But Arsenal were unable to see their advantage through as Brobbey got ahead of Gabriel Magalhaes and Raya to hook home, with Ballard then putting his body on the line to deny Merino at the death.
Mr Brobbey the Sunderland hero
Even the most optimistic Sunderland fans probably expected their team to be scrapping for points near the bottom of the Premier League table by the time this game rolled around.
Instead, Le Bris’ side had a chance to close within four points of the summit, and they did everything in their power to unsettle Arsenal. Sunderland even brought the advertising hoardings around the pitch closer to the touchline, to stymie the visitors’ long throws.
Arsenal’s defence have kept many of the Premier League’s leading forwards quiet this season, but Ballard had no such trouble, channelling his inner striker with a powerful finish inside Raya’s near post.
With Arsenal dominating possession in the second half, Sunderland needed to avoid errors, but Le Fee – who got a major reprieve in the first half after losing possession near his own box – was punished for his next giveaway by Saka.
And when Trossard worked a yard of space to fire Arsenal ahead, it looked like Sunderland would fall to a gallant defeat. Brobbey had other ideas.
He showed brilliant anticipation and improvisation to flick in the equaliser, though Ballard’s later block – to deny Merino from just six yards out – was equally as important.
Sunderland’s superb start to the season continues, and they can reflect upon another statement result throughout the international break, after which they travel to Fulham.
Rock-solid Arsenal defence breached
With Man City and Liverpool set to face off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal knew a victory on Wearside would pile huge pressure on their two main title rivals.
But they arrived in the North East depleted, fielding Merino as a makeshift striker, with Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out. The Spaniard was in the wars early on, being caught by a stray elbow from Ballard, but he was able to continue after treatment.
They initially struggled to find any fluency in attack, but the momentum was with them after Saka’s equaliser, with Zubimendi sending a left-footed flick narrowly wide before he struck the woodwork.
Trossard was the Arsenal hero in another tight away game against Fulham last month, and when he picked out the top-left corner, it looked to be game, set and match.
Indeed, Arsenal had won four straight games to nil ahead of this one, but their previously rock-solid defence was all at sea when Ballard flicked Trai Hume’s cross towards Brobbey, who took his chance brilliantly.
Arsenal could now see their lead at the summit cut to as few as four points on Sunday, and their next game pits them against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.
Club reports
Sunderland report | Arsenal report
Next PL fixtures
Key facts
Sunderland have scored more 90th-minute goals than any other side in the Premier League this season (five, including stoppage time), with three of these goals altering the result of the match in their favour (W2 D1).
Ballard’s opener – as well as being Sunderland’s first shot on target – was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 812 minutes in all competitions, since Nick Woltemade’s strike for Newcastle in September.
Trossard scored his first Premier League goal from outside the box for Arsenal. It was his first from distance overall in the competition since December 2021 (for Brighton v Brentford), ending a run of 33 in a row scored from inside the box.
Arsenal failed to beat a promoted side in a Premier League match for the first time since May 2023 (0-1 v Nottingham Forest), ending a 14-game winning run against such teams.
