Mikel Arteta admitted he was “hurt” and “frustrated” after Sunderland ended Arsenal’s ten-game winning streak.
The Gunners had been on course to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League after Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard put them 2-1 up in the second half at the Stadium of Light.
Black Cats striker Brian Brobbey, however, found the net in the 94th minute as Sunderland struck late on to deny Arsenal all three points.
“I want to win, and the game was almost there,” said Arteta.
“But you know this is the Premier League and the manner that they play, they’re going to harm you in their way.
“It’s just one goal difference there. I’m frustrated because it’s an action that we can defend better, but as well you have to give credit to the opposition to do what they’ve done, to put the ball there, to head the ball the way they’ve done it and then the striker it to do that action and to put the ball in the net, and sometimes you have to do that and recognise that as well.
“Of course it hurts, especially when it costs you points. And we know that we have to do better, and even though we’re conceding goals, there are things that we have to improve on the ball. I always mention that, and that’s it. Learn from the past and get back.”
Sunderland were the better side in the first half and took the lead through former Arsenal defender Dan Ballard.
The hosts did an effective job of knocking the Gunners off their rhythm and showed why they are third in the Premier League.
“You don’t get to any place in the Premier League where you think you’re going to have a comfortable afternoon, evening, however you want to call it,” said Arteta.
“And again, it’s not a coincidence what they are doing. They deserve to be where they are, and we do as well.
“We have to adjust certain things, and at the end you have to create against the opposition as well.
“They are here unbeaten for a reason, and they do what they do really, really well and they make it very difficult for you.
“You have to be very patient; you have to dominate certain things in order to earn the right to dominate the game in the manner that you want. We did much better in the second half.”
