Brian Brobbey scores late as high-flying Sunderland hold leaders Arsenal to draw

Brian Brobbey scored a last-gasp equaliser as high-flying Sunderland held Premier League leaders Arsenal to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

A stop-start first-half suddenly sparked into life when former Arsenal academy product Dan Ballard sent the hosts ahead with a thumping finish, ending the Gunners’ run of eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

Bukayo Saka levelled with a low effort after the break and, with Arsenal having controlled most of the game for the second half, Leandro Trossard sent the visitors ahead with a stunning effort from outside the area.

90+4'. Step forward, Brian Brobbey. pic.twitter.com/MSkoBKd1C6

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 8, 2025

Late drama followed as Brobbey stabbed home from Ballard’s header to earn a point for the hosts against the division’s top side.

Sunderland named the same line-up for the third successive game and Arsenal made three changes from their midweek Champions League win as Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Riccardo Calafiori started.

Early in the game, a cross for Mikel Merino saw him clash with Ballard, leading to a brief stoppage and Declan Rice’s curling free-kick was clawed away by Robin Roefs.

Rice had a tame strike blocked, but the Gunners then missed a great opportunity when Eze pounced on Enzo Le Fee’s misplaced pass and could only loft his shot over the crossbar.

There was another stoppage following a clash of heads between Le Fee and Jurrien Timber before Saka had a mild effort held by Roefs.

Sunderland went ahead in the 36th minute when Nordi Mukiele nodded the ball down in the box for Ballard, who burst past Rice and fired a powerful strike past David Raya.

The visitors came close in first-half stoppage-time as Saka played into