Arsenal’s 10 match winning run came to an end at the Stadium of Light as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Sunderland. It was a game between the best 2 defense in the league this season but they both conceded twice in the high-tension game. It was a reunion for Granit Xhaka who captained the Black Cats.

Arteta made 2 changes to the XI that won 3-0 at Sparta Prague: Martin Zubimendi returned from the Champions League suspension while Eberechi Eze & Riccardo Calafiori started ahead of Ethan Nwaneri & Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Gunners’ quest for a 9th consecutive clean sheet fell short in the 35th minute with Dan Ballard, an ex-Gunner, putting the host in front. Arsenal could argue that the freekick that produced the goal was a wrong call. Irrespective, Raya’s goal was breached, and the team had to respond. Saliba missed an opportunity to tie the game before the break.

Saka got the equalizer in the 54th minute, squeezing a shot past Roefs after Rice stole the ball in midfield and found Merino who provided the assist. Trossard put the league leaders ahead with an intelligent finish in the 74th minute but the Gunners were undone by another set piece in added time as Brobbey got the equalizer.

The leaders were short on the bench with only Nwaneri and Dowman as the first team attacking option. It was not surprising to see Arteta make just one substitution in the game (Eze off for Mosquera). The absence of Victor Gyokeres ensured that the Black Cats had the luxury of doubling-up on Saka. Hopefully the Swede, Odegaard, Martinelli, Havertz, Madueke & Gabriel Jesus return before the next game.

The draw extends Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to 7 points, pending the result between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday.

With the final international break of the year before us, Arsenal would hope to have a fuller house to face Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.