🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta spoke of his deep disappointment and frustration following his side surrendered a last-gasp leveling goal versus the home team at the Stadium of Light. A 94th-minute strike from substitute Brobbey earned a point for the home side, who are placed fourth in the table.

“It feels terrible,” Arteta stated. “Frustration and disappointment, since we were aiming for the three points. We had to navigate through a difficult game. We knew that. [They were] extremely disruptive. We had to deal with situations that were clearly difficult to deal with.”

Ex- Arsenal academy trainee Ballard had opened the scoring in a opening period that appeared to trouble the away team. Questioned about his reaction when Arsenal’s club-record run of eight clean sheets was broken, Arteta responded: “It hurts, because I don’t want to concede any goals.” His side improved after the break and took the lead via goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.

Manager's View of First Goal Conceded

The coach said about Sunderland’s opener: “We let in a score that was below our level, but following that, the team reacted really well, showed a lot of character and bravery. Got the first goal, scored the second goal, and we completely controlled the match.

“You have to rely on protecting the area when they start to commit multiple attackers in the box. It might come from a long ball, a throw, or any situation. We should have defended it better. And today we haven’t done it, we let a goal in.”

Final-Moment Action and Lost Opportunity

Even after the leveling goal, Ballard needed to stop a Merino shot. Arteta added: “In the last minute, we had another massive chance to win, which I think we earned.”

Sunderland Boss Praises Squad’s Spirit

The Sunderland manager commended the “character” of his team, whose saying in the previous campaign’s successful run in the Championship playoffs was: “Till the end”.

“This demonstrates the team has a very resilient spirit,” said Le Bris. “It’s always difficult facing a side such as Arsenal, one of the best teams in Europe, so it requires a brilliant performance, or else it’s impossible to win a result.

“I think the opening period was well balanced, we tried to defend high when possible, organised a deep block, very tight, focused, aggressive, and we had the opportunity to possess the ball sometimes.

“The latter period was a little harder, since you spend much time defending, and then must remain calm with the ball, and we still have a really young squad, really young players without great experience in the Premier League, so it’s a good lesson.

“Believe we were barely hanging on after the 2-1, and Arsenal were in control, and they were skilled at retaining the ball. But with the energy of the stadium, in my opinion the qualities of our players, and the foundation we have now, it seems it’s really positive for this belief, and this belief, that we can change the dynamic.”