An acrobatic finish from substitute Brian Brobbey earned Sunderland a draw against league leaders Arsenal in a dramatic match at the Stadium of Light.
It was a cagey opening, with neither side able to gain control but the hosts getting encouragement as plenty of high pressing unsettled the Gunners, but the match sprung into life when Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard brought down the loose ball in the box before lashing a brilliant finish past David Raya.
It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 812 minutes and while they initially looked a little shellshocked the Gunners recovered well, coming out with real intent in the second half before an Enzo Le Fee mistake allowed Mikel Merino to slip in Saka, who finished brilliantly at the near post.
The visitors were in the ascendancy from there and Leandro Trossard came up with a moment of brilliance as he blasted a stunning finish into the roof of the net on 74 minutes, but there was still time for Sunderland to equalise as Brobbey squeezed a finish past Raya in stoppage time to earn his side a dramatic draw.
Read all the latest reaction from the Stadium of Light below:
Sunderland vs Arsenal live
- Sunderland draw with Arsenal in the Premier League after dramatic finish
- 90 +4' GOAL! Acrobatic Brobbey finish levels it late [SUN 2-2 ARS]
- 74' GOAL! Stunning Trossard goal gets Arsenal ahead [SUN 1-2 ARS]
- 55' GOAL! Saka levels with accomplished finish [SUN 1-1 ARS]
- 36' GOAL! Brilliant Ballard finish gives hosts lead [SUN 1-0 ARS]
Sunderland end Arsenal’s winning run — and show the rest of the Premier League how to stop them
21:08 , Chris WilsonHave the Premier League’s newly-arrived disruptors unlocked a way of disrupting Arsenal’s title charge?
The evidence from the chaos at a raucous Stadium of Light suggests a case for that theory, and a sliver of reassurance for Mike Arteta amid the frustration. Faced with the disciplined, athletic, spirited red and white wall of Sunderland, Arsenal wobbled, then conjured a forceful second half revival, but ultimately wilted.
In the previous ten games, five in the league, Arsenal rolled over their opponents with varying degrees of ease, even going eight games without conceding a goal. Encountering a home city infused with a spirit of regeneration and defiance, the Gunners saw that winning streak and clean sheet collection wrecked.
Sunderland end Arsenal’s winning run to show the rest how to stop them
Premier League fixtures tomorrow
21:15 , Chris WilsonThere are a few Super Sunday games tomorrow too, with the following matches taking place:
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth - 2pm
Brentford vs Newcastle - 2pm
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds - 2pm
Manchester City vs Liverpool 4.30pm
Next up
20:50 , Chris WilsonWe’re entering the international break now so Arsenal’s next game comes on 23 November and it’s a huge one – a north London derby at home to Spurs. That one kicks off at 4.30pm GMT on the Sunday.
Sunderland’s next match comes at home to Fulham on 22 November, with kick-off at 3pm.
Eze reacts
20:40 , Chris Wilson“It was a difficult game. They made it a tough place to come. You know how they play. We have to keep perspective. We’re still first, still working,” said Arsenal midfielder Ebere Eze.
“You know how they play it’s very direct. It’s a testament to our team. You see how hard it is to make chances but we’ll pick ourselves and go.
“You can see the quality of their game. They haven’t lost here in a while. It’s important to keep on heads on, not look too deep.
“It’ll be a time to come away from the Premier League. We can come back, go again, and be fresh for that. Of course we’ll be strong when players come back,” he added as he finished.
Brian Brobbey scores late as high-flying Sunderland hold leaders Arsenal to draw
20:30 , Chris WilsonBrian 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.
Late drama followed as Brobbey stabbed home from Ballard’s header to earn a point for the hosts against the division’s top side.
Brian Brobbey scores late as high-flying Sunderland hold leaders Arsenal to draw
Arteta reacts
20:20 , Chris Wilson“We had to do better, the way we conceded the goal, it’s what they do. The game is going to be very long, we need a goal to believe, we did that, we put them on the back foot, but again it was a direct ball and the striker does well,” says Arteta as he reacts on Sky.
“There are two balls and two flicks, it's the same action, but credit to the opposition. They create they chaos and in any moment they can score a goal, and that’s why they are where they are.
“Every week, against every opponent we really understand and recognise that. we understand the difficult y of what we’ve done.
“This is the season, we’ve still done really well, so credit to the team” he says on the injuries.
“We’re disappointed because we wanted the three points, but we go again,” he adds.
More from Ballard
20:10 , Chris WilsonSunderland centre-back Dan Ballard also spoke to BBC Match of the Day, and he had this to say:"We've had some late goals recently - not just this year, last year as well.
"Great character from the lads and it seems to be a bit of theme, a lot of late goals for us.
On his crucial late block, he adds: "I think at the stage of the game, if we conceded there it would have been a huge blow at the end. It probably meant more [than the goal] but there's no feeling like scoring a goal."
"It was a bit of a blur. When you get into those moments, you don't think, it just happens so I'll have to watch it back. I just remember lashing it really - and thankfully it went in!"
“It's a good morale boost to show we can go against a really top team - probably one of the best in Europe at the minute - and [we’re] delighted with that.
"But it is just one point and we've got a lot of work to do to achieve our goal of staying up this year."
On Sunderland start, he says: "These four games between international breaks, there were some tough ones in there. We probably didn't expect to come out with eight points from those four games so we're delighted.
"We're working extremely hard and it's showing on the pitch but the games are tight and could easily have gone the other way so we've got to keep our feet on the ground and work really hard.
"There will be times this season where it work go our way so we'll just keep going, he added as he finished.
FULL-TIME! Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
20:05 , Chris WilsonJust a reminder that there is another Premier League match tonight, with Chelsea hosting Wolves.
That one has just kicked off at Stamford Bridge.
Ballard reacts
19:57 , Chris Wilson"You saw again the fight of the team - it's incredible. The boys worked so hard throughout the week,” said man of the match Dan Ballard.
“We show it on the pitch that we fight to the end with the amount of late goals we score. It's brilliant.
“They caused us a lot of problems. We were camped in on the edge of the box. We knew we’d have to take our chances at set pieces and be more aggressive off the ball. We thought we could get something from the game, and we did.
“We’re very calm. It’s a long season. We’ve had a good start, but a lot of games have been tight. If we keep going like this, hopefully we can achieve our goal,” he added.
FULL-TIME! Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
19:51 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
19:48 , Chris WilsonWell, what a match that turned out to be at the Stadium of Light!
Sunderland will feel like that was a win but they deserved the result, having pushed Arsenal arguably more than any other side this season.
For Arsenal, the result is disappointing given they had the lead late on, but they may well look back on that result as a decent point.
It leaves the Gunners seven points ahead of nearest challengers Manchester City, having played a game more.
FULL-TIME! Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
19:38 , Chris WilsonThat’s it! The final whistle goes and it ends level after a breathtaking second half at the Stadium of Light!
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
19:36 , Chris Wilson90 +7 mins
There were two extra minutes added on for the goal so we’ll be carrying on for a little bit here. Arsenal come again.
Rice clips the ball in but it’s safely headed back to Roefs!
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
19:35 , Chris Wilson90 +6 mins
CLOSE! Time for more drama!
The ball comes forward to Calafiori and he thinks he’s got a great chance to win it but Roefs made himself big to save.
It bounces out towards Merino about three yards out but Ballard throws himself towards the ball to get a heroic block in!
GOAL! Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
19:34 , Chris Wilson90 +4 mins
GOAL! It’ll be checked but Sunderland think they have an equaliser!
It’s given! They’ve done it!
It’s a brilliant goal too, with the ball headed on towards Brian Brobbey in the box. He’s just in front of the onrushing Raya and he’s being held by Gabriel, but he produces an acrobatic finish to jump up and hook the ball past the ‘keeper to level it!
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:31 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
Sunderland continue to press but no luck so far. Surely Arsenal can’t concede twice anyway?!
Reinildo sends in a cross but Rice heads clear.
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:28 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Seven minutes of added time here as Rice attempts a speculative lob from his own half after the referee refuses to give Sunderland a free-kick for a collision. The Stadium of Light is angry!
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:25 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Reinildo ended up colliding with the defender there so it wouldn't have counted anyway.
The hosts are pressing for an equaliser though and they make an attacking change, with Eliezer Mayenda coming on for Geertruida.
Arsenal make a defensive change in response, with Cristhian Mosquera replacing Eze.
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:24 , Chris Wilson86 mins
What a chance this is for Sunderland!
Hume receives it midway into the Arsenal half in space and he swings in a lovely ball to an unmarked Reinildo.
He tries to take it down in the box but ends up sort of passing it to Brobbey just ahead of him, and Raya rushes out to smother the ball and make the save!
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:22 , Chris Wilson84 mins
Mukiele is fine to continue and he sneaks back on to dispossess Rice, nearly enabling a Sunderland counter. That would have been controversial!
Sunderland have possession in their own half but they’re running out of time to salvage anything.
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:20 , Chris Wilson82 mins
There’s a break in play now as Mukiele receives treatment after an awkward fall.
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:17 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Calafiori gets away with another fouls he wildly swings and takes down Hume. That’s at least three without a booking now for the Italian.
Hume swings in a great free-kick but Adingra can’t bring it down, and Mukiele settles for the long throw.
There’s pinball in the box as Ballard shoulders the ball down and Raya scoops it away before Brobbey is flagged offside. It’s a great save from Raya on replay!
GOAL! Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
19:14 , Chris Wilson74 mins
GOAL! The visitors are ahead and it’s a thunderbolt from Leandro Trossard!
He makes it look so simple too, picking the ball up right on the left-hand edge of the box before shimmying and blasting an effort into the roof of the net from 18 yards!
It was still rising as it flew past Roefs, and it was inch-perfect. No chance for the ‘keeper.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
19:10 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Arsenal have lost that rhythm they gained after the goal, with Sunderland going well to disrupt the visitors recently.
However, the Gunners are just starting to dominate possession once again, with Reinildo now booked after hauling down Saka. This could be a long 20 minutes or so for the full-back now!
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
19:08 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Sunderland have just calmed it down a little bit and they get a rest now as Calafiori gives away a needless foul near halfway.
It’s a good delivery from Xhaka but the ref blows for a foul in the box.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
19:04 , Chris Wilson67 mins
A cheap foul gives Arsenal a free-kick around 25 yards out, though it’s in more of a crossing position.
Rice clips it in but Merino is penalised for a foul on Roefs.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
19:03 , Chris Wilson65 mins
OFF THE BAR! Superb from Zubimendi but no dice.
The Spaniard brings the high ball down on the edge of the box and loops a lovely volley that cannons back off the underside of the bar!
Eze collects the rebound but can’t get a clean shot away.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
19:02 , Chris Wilson64 mins
Three changes for the hosts as Isidor, Le Fee and Traore come off for Brian Brobbey, Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
18:58 , Chris Wilson61 mins
Arsenal are beginning to move it around very well on the edge of the Sunderland box now, with ehe the latest to create a chance as he brings the ball down before lashing a volley straight at Roefs.
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
18:55 , Chris Wilson58 mins
It was a lovely finish from Saka in truth. controlled it well onto the right foot and blasted it low, finding the tiny gap past Roefs before the ‘keeper had time to get down.
The Gunners are immediately pressing for a second, as you’d expect, and they have a great chance as Trossard slides a diagonal through ball to the onrushing Zubimendi, who squeezes a low effort narrowly past the far post.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
18:53 , Chris Wilson55 mins
GOAL! The visitors are level!
It all comes from a mistake unfortunately, with Enzo Le Fee taking too long to find a pass before Rice dispossesses him midway into the Sunderland half.
He moves it forward to Merino, who spots the run of Saka on the right and slips in a perfect pass, which the England international controls before firing in a low effort at the near post!
Game on!
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:50 , Chris Wilson53 mins
Much better from Arsenal in attack as Timber and Zubimendi link well on the right before the Dutchman’s cross is headed clear.
Arsenal come again and Zubimendi lays it off brilliantly to Saka in the area, but the winger hooks it shot well wide of the far post.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:48 , Chris Wilson50 mins
A quick break from the hosts ends with a corner after Isidor and Sadiki narrowly fail to combine in the box, but nothing comes of it.
At the other end, Sunderland give the ball away cheaply to Trossard, and Arsenal move it quickly before Zubimendi fires a tame effort at Roefs.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:45 , Chris Wilson48 mins
A long throw for Arsenal ends with Eze seeing a shot well-blocked to begin the half.
Sunderland are happy to sit in the low block and it pays off again as Saka swings a cross out of play.
KICK-OFF! Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:42 , Chris WilsonWe’re back in action! What answers can Arsenal find at the Stadium of Light?
Perhaps more pertinently, can the hosts keep up this level of intensity?
HALF-TIME! Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:39 , Chris WilsonIt had been a fairly poor first half at the Stadium of Light, with neither side really able to create anything of note. The intensity and pressing had been high quality, but that didn’t make for much of a spectacle unfortunately.
However, some brilliance from centre-back Dan Ballard gave the hosts the lead in surprising fashion, and now Arsenal have it all to do!
The visitors had been fairly comfortable but they haven’t really tested the Sunderland defence, and Regis Le Bris will obviously be the happier of the two managers at the moment, even without the goal!
We’ll be back underway soon at the Stadium of Light.
HALF-TIME! Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:31 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:26 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and we go into the break with Sunderland in the surprise lead! They’re the first team to score against Arsenal in 812 minutes of football.
The hosts deserve their lead too, stifling the visitors while applying plenty of pressure both in and out of possession.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:26 , Chris Wilson45 +8 mins
Sunderland finishing strongly here as Xhaka sees his cross turned behind for a corner.
It’s a good delivery from the former Arsenal man and though it’s cleared originally, Sadiki picks out Le Fee with a diagonal and he cuts it back for Mukiele, who drills a low effort into the side-netting.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:23 , Chris Wilson45 +6 mins
Plenty of Arsenal possession at the moment but Sunderland are working so hard to prevent any gaps opening up.
Eze briefly does brilliantly well to skip past a challenge in the box but he’s off-balance as he tries to thread the pass back, and the chance goes begging before the hosts win a free-kick from a Calafiori foul in the box.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:20 , Chris Wilson45 +3 mins
CHANCE!
Xhaka goes into the book now for stopping Eze on the counter.
Rice swings in the free-kick but it’s headed away before Saka wins a throw.
Arsenal come again though, and Calafiori clips in a cross before Saka knocks it back to Saliba, who blazes over unmarked from the penalty spot! That was a big chance.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:17 , Chris Wilson45 mins
NINE minutes added on here! That’s a little surprising even with the two injury stoppages.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:16 , Chris Wilson43 mins
Approaching 45 minutes but we should have a sizeable chunk of added time here.
Arsenal are knocking it around well enough but they aren’t getting into dangerous areas.
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:12 , Chris Wilson39 mins
Arsenal had looked fairly comfortable despite not creating a lot, but they find themselves behind! What can the visitors produce before half-time?
They're on the attack again but there are no gaps in the home defence at the moment.
That goal was the first time Arsenal have conceded in nine matches!
GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
18:10 , Chris Wilson36 mins
GOAL! Out of nowhere, the hosts are ahead! Rice can’t deal with the loose ball on the edge of his box and the onrushing Ballard wins it, controlling it well before lashing the finish past a helpless Raya!
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
18:08 , Chris Wilson35 mins
Firs yellow of the day comes for Zubimendi as he clips Isidor on the counter.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
18:07 , Chris Wilson34 mins
34 minutes in and the ball has been in play for 13 minutes apparently. That tells you what you need to know.
Saka has a half-chance as the ball falls kindly in the box as he tries to wriggle through bodies, but he hits a tame effort straight at the ‘keeper.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
18:04 , Chris Wilson31 mins
Both Timber and Le Fee needed treatment there but they’re okay to carry on.
Another lengthy stoppage there.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
18:01 , Chris Wilson28 mins
Half a chance for the hosts! Eze is dispossessed and the ball goes high, with Sunderland eventually winning it and it’s slipped through to Isidor.
The angle is always against the Frenchman though and while he gets the shot away, it bobbles harmlessly wide of the far post.
Another brief break as Timber is down receiving treatment.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:59 , Chris Wilson26 mins
Plenty of scrappy bits of play and irritating fouls from both sides so far, with Timber the latest to give a free-kick away with Arsenal having won the ball in a promising position.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:56 , Chris Wilson23 mins
Just one shot on target so far today, but perhaps that was to be expected.
Both sides are working extremely hard at the moment, with the hosts so far rewarded for plenty of early pressing. There’s a lot of time to go yet though.
There’s a warning sign for the hosts too as Le Fee tries to knock a short pass to a teammate on the edge of the box and it goes straight to Eze, who curls over from the edge of the ‘D’.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:52 , Chris Wilson19 mins
A disappointing short corner routine from the visitors and nothing comes of it.
At the other end, the visitors have their first real sight of goal but Bertrand Traore can’t control it in the box.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:49 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Rice lines up the set-piece. It’s a little further than 25 yards in reality.
He hits it and it tests Roefs, but the ‘keeper punches it away easily enough. Rice’s next action is to deliver another long throw, which is flicked on well before danger is cleared.
Not a lot happening at the moment, and no chances for either side, though Saka wins a corner after Sadiki makes an important challenge in the area.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:46 , Chris Wilson14 mins
Neither side has really had a chance to get going here, with Sunderland pressing high early on aiming to unsettle the visitors. It hasn't worked yet, with Arsenal happy to knock it around near halfway, though Eze tries to clip a ball over the defence and it runs straight to the ‘keeper.
Arsenal come again though, camped on the edge of the Sunderland box, before Isidor goes high on Gabriel and the visitors win a free-kick from about 25 yards.
Below is that challenge on Merino, so you can understand why he was down for a little while.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:43 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Mikel Merino is eventually able to come off, and he should be fine to carry on as play resumes.
The Spaniard is back on and we should have a fair chunk of added time at the end of this half.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:39 , Chris Wilson8 mins
A brief break in play there as Merino is treated for a head injury after a challenge in the box. He was elbowed clean in the face there.
Mikel Arteta isn’t happy but it wasn't a malicious challenge.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:38 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Anyone complaining about the quality of the Premier League won’t be happy here, as we have the third long throw of the game already as the clock ticks past four minutes.
It’s cleared and Rice can’t get clean contact on the follow-up cross though.
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:36 , Chris Wilson4 mins
Not a bad start from Sunderland, who are being roared on by the home fans. It’s another long throw won after pressuring Timber, though this one is headed clear and Rice can drive out of trouble.
In other news, the three minute mark passes and that makes it 13 hours since Arsenal last conceded!
Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:35 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Early pressure from the hosts as they force Raya into kicking out of play from his own area.
The first long throw of the day arrives within two minutes – but Arsenal deal with it easily enough.
KICK-OFF! Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
17:32 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at the Stadium of Light!
Sunderland vs Arsenal live
17:25 , Chris WilsonBoth teams are in the tunnel at the Stadium of Light, so we’ll be underway in the next five minutes or so.
Will Arsenal extend their lead at the top, or will Sunderland get a famous win?
What the managers said
17:20 , Chris WilsonIn his pre-match conference, Mikel Arteta explained that “it's not about credit, it's about doing it - and once you've done it, do it again. That's what we have to do,” regarding his side's efforts so far.
"Every weekend is crucial. There are times for possible results, maybe they are a little more important. But you have to be consistent regardless if you want to achieve your goals,” he added.
On former player Granit Xhaka, he added: “He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop as a football team and as a club, and I will be eternally grateful.”
Sunderland boss Regis Le bris claimed the match has arrived at "the perfect time" to test his side, adding: "We have to play our best football and if we are afraid or a bit reserved against this kind of team we will be punished. If we are too emotional we will be punished. We have to do a masterclass - no choice!"
Match stats
17:15 , Chris WilsonSunderland’s 18 points are the most a newly promoted side has won 10 games into a Premier League season since Hull City in 2008/09 (20).
Arsenal have faced just 19 shots on target in the Premier League this season – including only one across their last four games – with this average of 1.9 faced per game the lowest by a team Opta has on record in a season since 2003/04.
Head-to-head
17:10 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met 144 times in the past, with Arsenal winning 59, Sunderland winning 45 and 40 ending as draws.
The last match between the two came in the League Cup in 2021, with the Gunners running out 5-1 winners.
In the Premier League, the last matches between these two sides came in the 16/17 season, with Arsenal winning 4-1 away and 2-0 at home.
Atmosphere building on Wearside
17:05 , Will Castle
Form guide
17:00 , Chris WilsonSunderland WLWWD
The Black Cats have had slightly mixed form of late having drawn to Everton at home last time out, though that loss to Manchester United in early October was only their second of the season. A home win against Wolves and two impressive away wins over Nottingham Forest and Chelsea make it three wins in the last five for Regis Le Bris’s side.
Arsenal WWWWW
The Gunners have won all of their last five, including Champions League ties against Atletico and Slavia Praha.
In the Premier League, they’ve also won all of their last five, with the last match to end without a win coming on 21 September against Man City at home.
Arsenal touch down at the Stadium of Light
16:54 , Will Castle
Match stats
16:50 , Chris WilsonSunderland haven’t won any of their last 23 Premier League games against sides starting the day in the top four of the table (D7 L16) since a 2-1 win over 2nd place Chelsea in April 2014. Their last victory over a table topping side in the top-flight was in a 1-0 home win against Man City in January 2012.
Arsenal have won their last five Premier League matches, last winning more in a row between April and August 2024 (eight wins). Their last four wins have all come without conceding – the Gunners last won five in a row with a clean sheet each time in September/October 1987 under George Graham.
Pep Guardiola: Arsenal look ‘almost impossible’ to stop but have long way to go
16:40 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola admits it may seem like stopping Arsenal is “almost impossible” but is well aware titles are not won in November.
Guardiola’s Manchester City face a strong test of their mettle as they host reigning champions Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
The match is important for both clubs as they look to keep the pressure on the Gunners at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola: Arsenal look ‘almost impossible’ to stop but have long way to go
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS!
16:16 , Will CastleSunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Isidor.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard.
RLB's XI to take on Arsenal! 👊#SUNARS pic.twitter.com/R4adEzlWrs
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 8, 2025
🔵 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔘
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2025
💪 Calafiori in at left-back
🔙 Zubimendi returns after UCL suspension
✨ Eze pulling the strings
Let's close out this block with a win, Gunners 👊
Team news
16:10 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups will be released in around five minutes so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Granit Xhaka will be set to face his former club as Black Cats skipper, who has been sensational since his summer move. In terms of injuries, defender Omar Alderete will be touch-and-go as he aims for a return from a concussion, while Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Romaine Mundle, Leo Fuhr Hjelde and Habib Diarra remain out.
Arsenal will be without Viktor Gyokeres after the Swede suffered a cruel setback against Burnley, but Martin Zubimendi is expected to be fit to feature. Gabriel Martinelli, out with a muscle problem, joins the quartet of Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard on the sidelines, all of whom are recovering from knee injuries.
Match stats
16:00 , Chris WilsonSunderland are winless in their last 15 Premier League games against Arsenal (D5 L10), since a 1-0 home victory in November 2009.
However, all three of Arsenal’s Premier League defeats against Sunderland have come away from home, and all by a 1-0 scoreline (January 1997, August 2000, November 2009). Indeed, they’ve never conceded more than once in 16 visits to the Black Cats in the competition.
Mikel Arteta responds to Thomas Tuchel dropping Myles Lewis-Skelly for latest England squad
15:50 , Chris WilsonMikel Arteta has offered his take on Myles Lewis-Skelly being dropped from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
The 25-man squad for November’s fixtures against Serbia and Albania was released on Thursday, with the Arsenal left-back left out having featured in October’s camp.
Gunners teammates Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka are all in Tuchel’s latest group, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, James Trafford and Ollie Watkins are the other names dropped.
Arteta responds to Tuchel dropping Lewis-Skelly for latest England squad
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backs former captain Granit Xhaka to become a ‘great coach’
15:35 , Chris WilsonArsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes former captain Granit Xhaka will become a “great coach” one day.
The Spaniard acknowledged that the midfielder is a long way off hanging up his boots, however, having played every minute for newly-promoted Sunderland since he joined in July after a two-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
Arteta reluctantly allowed Xhaka to leave after seven seasons at the north London club in 2023, but spoke fondly of him before the trip to Stadium of Light on Saturday and tipped him for a future in management after he started his coaching badges at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta backs former captain Granit Xhaka to become a ‘great coach’
When is Sunderland vs Arsenal?
15:25 , Chris WilsonSunderland’s clash with Arsenal in the Premier League kicks off at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday 8 November at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK will be able to watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 5pm GMT. Subscribers can also watch the game on streaming platform Sky Go.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Predicted line-ups
15:20 , Chris WilsonSunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Isido.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard.
Team news
15:13 , Chris WilsonArsenal will be without Viktor Gyokeres after the Swede suffered a cruel setback against Burnley, but Martin Zubimendi is expected to be fit to feature. Gabriel Martinelli, out with a muscle problem, joins the quartet of Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard on the sidelines, all of whom are recovering from knee injuries.
Team news
15:10 , Chris WilsonGranit Xhaka will be set to face his former club as Black Cats skipper, who has been sensational since his summer move. In terms of injuries, defender Omar Alderete will be touch-and-go as he aims for a return from a concussion, while Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Romaine Mundle, Leo Fuhr Hjelde and Habib Diarra remain out.
Sunderland vs Arsenal live
15:05 , Chris WilsonEarly title favourites Arsenal will hope to avoid becoming the latest to fall victim to this season’s surprise package as they face high-flying Sunderland in the Premier League.
The Gunners established a six-point lead at the top of the table after 10 games entering the weekend, boasting a close-to impenetrable defence that has seen them concede only three goals this term.
But while this might have appeared one of their more straightforward assignments at the beginning of the campaign, Sunderland pose one of the biggest threats to Arsenal’s win streak.
The Black Cats, who were favourites for relegation off the back of play-off glory in May, sit pretty in fourth and have already slain a London giant this season, beating Chelsea on their own turf in October.
Good afternoon
15:00 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of this evening’s Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
The Gunners start the weekend leading the Premier League while Sunderland started the day in fourth, with both sides having produced excellent starts to the season – Arsenal with their impressive defensive record and the Black Cats with their surprise ascent up the table.
It’s the toughest test yet for the newly promoted side though, with Arsenal having kept a clean sheet in each of their last eight matches as they look to extend their lead at the top ahead of Liverpool facing Manchester City tomorrow.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates right here.
