SUNDERLAND made a cheeky change to their stadium in a bid to help them against Arsenal.
The Black Cats hosted the table-topping Gunners at the Stadium of Light in Saturday’s 5:30pm kick-off.
Mikel Arteta’s side have become synonymous for their proficiency at set pieces.
But in an effort to minimise the impact of dead balls, Sunderland pitch caretakers moved the advertising hoardings closer to the pitch to counter the long throw threat.
A picture taken before the game showed the changes made with the border around the pitch moved towards the touchline.
Fans loved the dark arts change on social media, with one saying: “Games back.”
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A second said: “This is why we love the game.”
A third added: “The beautiful game might be back I’ve got tears in my eyes.”
Another said: “Arteta crying watching that.”
As it turned out, Regis Le Bris’ side did manage to grab a point from the game.
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They took the lead through former Arsenal academy star Daniel Ballard as he blasted the ball past David Raya in the 36th minute – the first goal Arteta’s side had conceded since September 28 against Newcastle.
Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard looked to have turned the game around in the second half with two well taken goals, from open play no less.
But summer signing Brian Brobbey scored his first Sunderland goal with a 96th minute stretching scissor kick which he poked beyond Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, Ballard was forced into a heroic last ditch defensive block to deny the Gunners a last-gasp winner.
The draw meant Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, at least until Manchester City play Liverpool on Sunday.
Meanwhile, high-flying Sunderland pounced back into the top four to go level on points with second-place City.
