rewrite this title Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal: Gunners held by 94th-minute leveller

Arsenal missed the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Brian Brobbey’s 94th-minute equaliser preserved Sunderland’s unbeaten home record in a thrilling game at the Stadium of Light.

With Manchester City and Liverpool facing each other Sunday, the Gunners had the opportunity to pile the pressure on their title challengers with victory on Wearside. It was a chance they were widely expected to take having won their last 10 games in all competitions.

But they fell behind in the 35th minute as Dan Ballard gave surprise package Sunderland the lead with a fierce close-range strike.

That marked the first goal Arsenal had conceded since September 28, when Nick Woltemade put Newcastle United ahead at St James’ Park.

Mikel Arteta’s men were much improved after the break and turned the game around through a Bukayo Saka equaliser and Leandro Trossard’s spectacular long-range effort.

Yet there was a late twist in the tale, which arrived as Brobbey beat Gabriel to the ball after Trai Hume’s delivery into the box was flicked on into his path, the Netherlands striker flicking beyond David Raya to rescue a point and end Arsenal’s long winning run.

The result means Sunderland move up into third, a point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, ahead of Sunday’s fixtures. Arsenal’s setback will give the Reds extra motivation for the clash with City, who will within four points of the Gunners with a win over Arne Slot’s side.

Arsenal endure frustrating first half

Arsenal were exasperated early on when makeshift striker Mikel Merino, starting in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres, went down in the area after being caught in the face by the arm of Ballard.

Merino required lengthy treatment, but the incident was not checked by VAR for a potential penalty.

The visitors’ frustration will have been furthered by their inability to create clear-cut chances, though Eberechi Eze curled narrowly over and Declan Rice tested Robin Roefs from a free-kick.

And Arsenal were punished for their lack of cutting edge as their former academy graduate Ballard outmuscled Rice and met Nordi Mukiele’s knockdown with a driven finish that left David Raya with no chance.

Brobbey denies Gunners at the death

Arsenal’s greater control was quickly evident in the second half and, after wasting one clear opportunity to level, Saka made no mistake when a second chance came along as Rice made amends for his earlier defensive lapse.

Rice dispossessed Enzo Le Fee and Eze and Merino combined brilliantly to tee up Saka to beat Roefs at the near post.

Martin Zubimendi then squirmed an effort wide after being played in by the excellent Trossard, and the same player was then denied by the crossbar as Arsenal piled on the pressure.

Their dominance eventually told in spectacular fashion in the 74th minute, Trossard cleverly creating space for himself on the edge of the area before unleashing a stunning strike beyond the helpless Roefs.

It looked as if that would be enough for the Gunners to cement their grip on top spot, but Brobbey’s determination to beat Gabriel to the ball instead dealt Arsenal an unexpected setback, with parity preserved by a similar show of grit from Ballard as he blocked Merino’s goal-bound effort after Roefs had denied Riccardo Calafiori.