Arsenal information: Guardiola performs thoughts video games with Arteta as blame for Sunderland draw pinpointed
Arsenal's relentless league type lastly faltered on Saturday, as they have been held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Sunderland – a outcome that barely stalls their surging momentum
View 4 PhotographsArsenal's title cost suffered its first setback in over two months as they have been held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland. The Black Cats not solely snatched a precious level from the in-form league leaders but in addition ended their run of eight consecutive clear sheets.
Fittingly, it was former Arsenal academy defender Daniel Ballard who put the hosts forward halfway by the primary half. After the break, the guests responded with intent, as Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard overturned the deficit to provide the the Gunners a 2-1 lead.
Nevertheless, simply when victory appeared assured, Brian Brobbey struck within the fourth minute of stoppage time to earn Sunderland a dramatic equaliser. Arsenal stay high of the desk however the air of invincibility surrounding Mikel Arteta's aspect has taken a noticeable dent.
The outcome comes at an inopportune second. Arsenal should stew on the frustration over the ultimate worldwide break of the 12 months earlier than returning to face a frightening trio of fixtures in opposition to Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Right here, Mirror Soccer breaks down all the newest Arsenal-related headlines.
READ MORE: Sunderland boss reveals sneaky Arsenal tactic that helped finish Gunners' profitable streakREAD MORE: Mikel Arteta offers clear Arsenal response to Sunderland draw – 'not our requirements'
Guardiola thoughts video games
Pep Guardiola isn't precisely recognized for psychological warfare however he appeared wanting to ship Arsenal just a few pointed messages forward of this weekend's fixtures.
The Manchester Metropolis boss labelled the Gunners "unbelievable" and hinted they have been the group to beat, including that his personal aspect have been nonetheless discovering their rhythm. That stated, he additionally reminded Arteta's males that they aren't champions but – and warned that, after a sluggish begin, his aspect are starting to construct momentum.
"We can not evaluate ourselves, they [Arsenal] are unbelievable," Guardiola stated. "I believe we’re studying to play higher in opposition to totally different shapes, man-marking or low blocks or deep that in the beginning we struggled somewhat bit to learn precisely what we needed to do. And like I stated one month in the past, I’ve the sensation that we’re getting higher.
View 4 Photographs"I stated yesterday, the massive groups, if you win, from my expertise, if you arrive on the finish of April, Might, to win the titles is how a lot you grew up from September, October and each month. The groups who win are the groups who develop. And that I had a sense that we’re getting higher.
"On Sunday we play in opposition to, proper now, the champions. Arsenal will not be the champion, the champion is Liverpool. They arrive right here to defend the title. We skilled that. "And it's an opportunity to show ourselves in opposition to the final champions of the Premier League, what’s our degree, and I'm so excited to play."
Arsenal legend names Sunderland offender
David Seaman has blamed David Raya for Arsenal's dropped factors in opposition to Sunderland, arguing the goalkeeper's late error price his aspect victory. The Spaniard was caught out deep into stoppage time when Brobbey beat him to a unfastened ball within the field, permitting the Sunderland striker to poke residence into an empty web and snatch a 2-2 draw.
Seaman – who remodeled 500 appearances for Arsenal throughout a 12-year spell on the membership – questioned Raya's decision-making and steered he should have tried to punch the ball, moderately than catch it.
"Whether or not Raya ought to come, I'd query that," the previous England No. 1 stated on Premier League Productions after the sport. "And the way in which he comes for the ball, he tries to catch it, is he conscious of the man [Brobbey] getting shut?
View 4 Photographs"It's an excellent end by Brobbey however I might simply query the choice of Raya, whether or not he ought to come and attempt to punch it, moderately than attempt to catch it."
Raya has been one of many Premier League's most reliable goalkeepers in latest seasons and has performed a significant position in Arsenal's glorious defensive document this time period. However moments of hesitation just like the one on the Stadium of Mild, Seaman warned, might show pricey within the title race.
Even so, the Arsenal legend urged calm, suggesting the result’s no purpose for panic. "This was a troublesome sport, particularly if you checked out it first half," he stated. "It seemed troublesome, Sunderland have been well-organised, they usually knew precisely what they wanted to do with Arsenal – hit it lengthy, play in Arsenal's half moderately than play it out from the again.
"After they did play out from the again it price them a aim. However Arsenal… they're in a very good place as a result of this was a giant take a look at."
Penalty disagreement
Theo Walcott believes Arsenal ought to have had a penalty in opposition to Sunderland, however Alan Shearer isn't so positive. Within the first half, Arsenal's Mikel Merino discovered himself on the receiving finish of an elbow from Black Cats' defender Dan Ballard within the space, sparking requires a penalty in favour of the Gunners.
View 4 PhotographsRegardless of VAR checking the incident and Merino requiring intensive therapy, Arsenal have been denied a spot kick. The choice sparked debate on Match of the Day, with Gunners icon Walcott insisting his former aspect deserved a penalty.
"I do really feel like his elbow was in fairly a excessive situation, we could name it, and it was very disruptive," he stated. "Mikel Arteta spoke about being disruptive, and he's undoubtedly, for my part, he's disruptive and there's a slight motion from the elbow to Merino's cheekbone.
Shearer, nonetheless, disagreed, saying: "I believe as a defender, if he permits that ahead to get throughout him, his supervisor goes completely berserk at him. That's his area and he can not enable any ahead to get throughout him.
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"So he then settles himself after which he goes for the header. You possibly can't soar with out doing that [raising his arms] for a header – and I don't assume there's something deliberate there in any respect. I believe it's extra good defending than anything."
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