Arsenal’s superb run of form was halted by newly promoted Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The Gunners will take a 2-2 draw against Xhaka’s Black Cats into the international break before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur later this month. It certainly felt like two points dropped considering how we conceded late on. Superb finishes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard in the second half had rallied Arsenal in front after former Gunner Dan Ballard opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half. With only a few minutes to go, however, a defensive mix-up between David Raya and Gabriel gifted substitute Brian Brobbey a fortuitous goal to level the scoring. It’s the first time we’ve failed to win since late September, bringing an end to our ten-game winning run.
Arteta shares mixed emotions after late setback
Reacting after the encounter, Mikel Arteta was left with mixed feelings over the draw.
“We’re obviously disappointed that we lost two points,” he said via Arsenal. “We knew that it was going to be really tough, really disruptive, a lot of stop and start, a lot of long balls. We dealt with that the majority of the time good, but we conceded two goals in a way that we should have defended better.”
He continued, “So overall, we’re disappointed with the result, but so proud of the players because putting into perspective what they’ve done in the last ten games, winning all of them with the amount of clean sheets that they had, with seven players injured.”
A timely break for the Gunners
Arsenal have managed to navigate a gruelling schedule of seven games in 21 days without any major setback in my opinion. Considering the host of injuries the squad has had to cope with, the international break comes at the perfect time. The limited options on the bench against the Black Cats were telling, particularly in attack, and Arteta will hope to have some players back fit before facing Spurs.
With Manchester City and Liverpool facing each other at the Etihad later today, our result could become less significant if they share the points. However, a win for either side will close the gap at the top, adding further intrigue to what is already shaping up to be a thrilling title race.
What did you make of our weekend result? Does it feel like two points dropped no matter how you look at it?
Let us know in the comments.
Benjamin Kenneth
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Dan’s predicion was Sunderland to win 1 nil. The masses’ predictions were to the contrary predicting Arsenal to win by more than 2 goals. Dan v The Masses. Who is deemed closer to the result? I think Dan saw beforehand what was coming explaining relying on set pieces goals will one day haunt Arsenal. This was what happened at the Stadium of Plight for Arsenal.
Ambachew,
While I hear what you say regarding Dan’s prediction. Arsenal didn’t rely on set-piece goals. As both were from open play if I’m not mistaken. 🤷♂️
Derek, it certainly looked as though Sunderland had trained in a way not to conceed set pieces. Was it only two corners in the whole game?
They’re a very impressively coached team.
Saka and Zubimendi could also have scored from open play. I thought that second half was one of our better performances from open play. The tempo was high right from the start of the second half. I think a combination of fatigue on our part and Sunderland disrupting our rhythm contributed to the result.
Both our goals came from open play, ten away wins in a row with an away draw, I would take that any day, having a great plan b in set pieces is great, we have Odegaard, Gyokeres, Havertz and Noni coming back all attacking players
The big plus is we are going to stay 6 points clear of City and Liverpool at least or be a further 1 point ahead of one of them, with a cushion to the other. The big minus we could have made a big jump up, if we had held on, which, there is no reason why we shouldn’t have.
I only see two points dropped. No reason we should’ve drawn the game. I’m leaning towards a Liverpool win being a better result today. I think they are less likely to go on a run and potentially catch us. Anything but a City win I’m thinking is a good result for us.
I totally agree. Liverpool are not nearly as depth in squad as Liverpool, but Man City are. If City breeze past Liverpool today continuing their brilliant run, I would be worried. Both Liverpool and Man City first 11 better than our first 11 is – Liverpool don’t have the strength in depth of us, but Man City have a huge squad full of exciting talent again.
When Man City sit just a few points behind us this evening, ignore Paul Merson and other pundits conning you Arsenal have the title in the bag, they are talking rubbish. Man City gelled really quick this season.
I disagree, I do not see either as having a BETTER team or squad.
Better managers IMO though which can make a big difference
This Man City side is better than Arsenal – this Man City side won’t drop silly points at promoted sides like Arsenal did yesterday, they are an effective machine again.
We go away to them with just six fixtures left and likely have to win that one to effectively stay in this seasons title race.
MG, Sunderland at home will be a tough game for any PL team. Don’t be surprised if they take at least a point off Man City.
Lets hope they do.
Is this excuses coming out early? City have a great manager, that is the difference.
If Liverpool first 11 is better than ours this season, WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE!!!
Sorry, didn’t word that well. Positive, we could still be 6 points + clear of both. And 1 point more over the other, if one wins. BUT negative is, we have allowed one to close, if one wins. We still have a cushion, whatever.