ARSENAL missed the chance to take a giant step towards the Premier League title as they were held to a draw by Sunderland.
The Gunners were on course to run out 2-1 winners at the Stadium of Light thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
But a stoppage-time equaliser from Brian Brobbey saw the north Londoners miss the chance to go NINE points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
And the draw also saw Mikel Arteta’s troops miss the opportunity to go TEN points clear of defending champions Liverpool.
SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse was in attendance at the Stadium of Light and is on hand to rate and slate Arteta’s starting XI and subs.
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Nothing he could do to stop Dan Ballard’s piledriver and did not really have another save to make until a brilliant double stop from Brian Brobbey late on. Ball distribution was spot on.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Just gets better with each game. Such a cool customer defensively, even after a cut to head forced him to go full on Terry Butcher.
Was not fooled by any of Enzo Le Fee’s flicks or tricks and the Sunderland star’s replacement Simon Adingra did not fare much better.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Had a great chance to level from 12 yards after Saka’s knockdown right on the break but produced a defender’s finish with the ball ending up in the nearby River Wear.
Solid defensively and seemed to be relishing the physical battle with Wilson Isidor while he stood strong until let down by his partner late on.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 6
Caught a little flat-footed as Nordi Mukiele reacted quickest to set-up Dan Ballard for the opener.
He was then outmuscled by Brian Brobbey right at the death as Sunderland snatched victory from Arsenal’s clutches.
RICCARDO CALIFIORI – 7
Perhaps could have been closer to Gabriel to help him prevent the Sunderland goal. But he stood strong to deny Bertrand Traore a run through early doors and remained resilient throughout.
EBERECHI EZE – 6
Fired a tame effort over early as he struggled to impose himself on the contest.
Grew into it a bit more in the second period but a quiet night for the England man and was an obvious choice to make way late on as Mikel Arteta opted to try and stick with what they had.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 8
Booked for scything down Wilson Isidor in a first half where he could not really get going.
However, like the rest of the Gunners, he was far more involved after the break.
He rattled the crossbar from 18 yards, was at the heart of almost all of Arsenal’s positive attacking play and deservedly took home our star rating.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Too weak for Ballard’s opener, allowing himself to be brushed aside too easily first before letting the ex-Arsenal academy ace to get away from him as leather home.
But he redeemed himself by winning the ball back from Enzo Le Fee for the equaliser and was superb throughout the second period. The heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield engine.
Almost capped his zero to hero night with an audacious attempt from halfway at the death, but the Three Lions man was just off target.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Struggled to get through the sea of Sunderland bodies guarding the box first half, shooting straight at Robin Roefs with his only sniff.
But he took the game by the scruff of the neck to get his team back into it and wanted the ball at every opportunity
Got his reward when, having come close moments earlier, he showed his quality with a brilliant finish to equalise.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 7
Was similar to team-mate Eze in struggling to get a foothold in the game but he was a later bloomer here and boy did he make an impact.
He waited and waited before pulling the trigger with an unstoppable strike.
MIKEL MERINO – 7
Early head knock after a collision with Dan Ballard but that did not stop him from battling hard for his side.
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Subs
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA (for Eze ‘88) – N/A
