In one of the most pulsating matches in the Premier League from Saturday, November 8, leaders Arsenal were held to a 2-2 by high-flying Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in Tyneside. In the post-match
press conference, when Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was asked about his team conceding their first goal in eight matches and 881 minutes in all competitions before the late drama, he responded by saying that it was a feeling of “pain in my tummy”.
Notably, Dan Ballard gave Sunderland the lead in the 36th minute to the dismay of Arsenal players and staff on the touchline including manager Mikel Arteta himself. In the first half, the hosts looked more than comfortable against the league leaders before stepping up their game during the second half with the captain Bukayo Saka equalising in the 54th minute after a misplaced pass from Enzo Lee Fee, allowing Mikel Merino to set-up an assist.
In the 74th minute, Leonardo Trossard scored a sensational goal from distance before Sunderland clinched a valuable point in the 90+4’ minute through an exceptional finish from Brian Brobbey from close range. Apart from feeling disgusted about conceding a goal after a long time, Mikel Arteta also gave his thoughts on the result, which read, as per ESPN, “The last feeling, it's disappointment and frustration because we wanted the three points and we have to navigate through a really tough game.”
Sunderland played really well, we conceded a goal that is not in our standards: Mikel Arteta
"We knew that, very disruptive. We have to deal with situations that are obviously difficult to deal with. They played really well, we conceded a goal that is not in our standards. After that I think the team reacted really well, we showed a lot of personality and courage, scored the first goal, scored the second goal and we had totally dominated the game,” added the Arsenal manager, who was happy with the response from his players after going behind in the first half at the Stadium of Light in Tyneside.
Then you have to rely on defending the box when they start to put six or seven players there. It can be from a direct play, a throw-in or any situation, we can defend the action better.Today we haven't done it and conceded the goal,” he further remarked.
