Sunderland halt Arsenal’s winning run with last-gasp 2-2 draw

SUNDERLAND, England - Premier League leaders Arsenal’s long winning run came to an end in a breathless 2-2 draw at Sunderland with Brian Brobbey securing a deserved point for the hosts with a stoppage-time leveller on Nov 8.

It looked as though Leandro Trossard’s 74th-minute thunderbolt had claimed an 11th successive win in all competitions for Arsenal who trailed at halftime.

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard put the high-flying hosts in front in the 36th minute, the first time Arsenal’s defence had been breached in nine matches.

But Mikel Arteta’s team found another level in the second half to take charge with captain Bukayo Saka firing home an equaliser in the 54th minute before Trossard cut in to smash an unstoppable shot past Robin Roefs.

Sunderland were not finished though and Brobbey showed great athleticism to volley past David Raya from close range.

Arsenal now have 26 points as they extended their lead to seven points over second-placed Manchester City, who could close the gap at home to champions Liverpool on Nov 9.

Promoted Sunderland are third with 19 points after a dream start to the season for Regis Le Bris’ side.

No one typified Sunderland’s battling qualities more than Ballard as he scored the opener, provided the assist for Brobbey’s late leveller and then made a sensational goal-saving block at the other end in a frantic conclusion to the match.

“You saw again the fight in the team. The boys worked so hard throughout the whole week. We fight right to the end,” Ballard, whose winning goal sent Sunderland to last season’s Championship playoff final, said.

“The number of late goals we’ve scored – it’s brilliant.”

While Arsenal will look to the way they controlled the second half, it was hard to deny that Sunderland deserved to become the first team to take Premier League points off Arteta’s team since Manchester City in September.

They were matched by Sunderland in the first half and Ballard showed great strength to hold off Declan Rice before driving a shot past Raya to send the home fans wild.

Arsenal dominated after the break though and soon after Saka had dragged a shot wide, he was played in by Mikel Merino to score after Rice had turned over possession.

Trossard’s goal was worthy of winning any game, but it was not to be this time for Arsenal as their hopes of opening up a nine-point lead were scuppered by Brobbey’s late show. REUTERS