Sunderland End Arsenal's Streak in Premier League Title Race Drama
Arsenal's impressive 10-match winning streak across all competitions came to an abrupt halt thanks to Brian Brobbey's dramatic equaliser in added time, which secured a 2-2 draw for Sunderland on Saturday.
The Gunners had kept clean sheets for eight straight games prior to this match but managed to widen their advantage at the summit of the Premier League over Manchester City, who face Liverpool on Sunday, by seven points.
Dan Ballard broke Arsenal's sequence of shutouts that had lasted since September 28, putting the Black Cats ahead.
A win would have propelled the recently promoted Sunderland up to second place, yet powerful strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard flipped the script in favour of Mikel Arteta's side during the second half.
However, they failed to seal the crucial victory, with Brobbey overpowering the usually dominant Gabriel Magalhaes to volley in Ballard's headed knock-down.
Arsenal's slip up offers a timely lift to their challengers for the crown before the big clash at the Etihad on Sunday.
Manchester City and Liverpool have ruled the English elite division for much of the last ten years, and both outfits will take encouragement from these uncommon glimpses of vulnerability in Arsenal's armour.
The Reds currently occupy fifth spot, trailing the leaders by eight points.
"We let in two goals that were quite alike, and that is below our standards," Arteta remarked.
"That said, the squad displayed remarkable grit and bravery to recover from that deficit, netting the leveller and then pushing for the winner, plus we created a huge opportunity right at the death to take all three.
"I am nothing but proud of the players."
Sunderland entered the fixture without a loss at the Stadium of Light since returning to the top tier, and their robust style disrupted the away team.
Ex-Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka enjoyed the task of unsettling the opponents and his former colleagues.
Ballard Shines
The frontrunners have leaned on their prowess from dead-ball situations to surge into contention for their first championship in 22 years.
On this occasion, though, they were caught out from a set piece themselves.
Ballard rifled the ball into the top of the net past David Raya to break the deadlock on 36 minutes, latching onto Nordi Mukiele's header.
"It feels great for team spirit to prove we can compete with an elite side, arguably one of Europe's finest right now," commented Ballard, who started out at Arsenal.
"Still, it is only a single point, and we have plenty ahead to ensure survival this season."
Arsenal stepped up their attacking intent after the break.
Declan Rice dispossessed Enzo Le Fee in the centre circle to spark the counter for the equaliser, before Mikel Merino set up Saka, who smashed a fierce shot low and hard past Robin Roefs with his less favoured right boot.
Martin Zubimendi struck the crossbar amid growing Arsenal dominance, and it finally yielded a stunning breakthrough on 74 minutes.
Trossard exploited the dummy run from Riccardo Calafiori to find room on the penalty area's fringe, then cracked a shot into the upper corner.
Sunderland exhibited the determination that has fuelled their strong opening to their return to Premier League action after eight years away.
Ballard won an aerial duel with Zubimendi from a delivery into the area, and Brobbey combined power and finesse to shrug off Gabriel and loop the ball over Raya.
Ballard produced further brilliance late on, denying Merino's shot on target after Roefs saved Calafiori's downward header.
This result sees Sunderland draw level with Manchester City and leapfrog Liverpool and Tottenham.