Mikel Arteta says Arsenal did something ‘incredible’ against Sunderland despite dropping points

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Mikel Arteta thinks his Arsenal team showed ‘incredible’ resilience to turn the game around against Sunderland, despite not claiming all three points.

The Gunners went into half-time a goal down, courtesy of Hale End graduate Dan Ballard’s thumping finish from a long-ball.

However, the North Londoners responded well in the second half, with Bukayo Saka’s neat near-post strike and Leandro Trossard’s stunner giving them a platform to go on and win the game.

Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, it wasn’t to be as Brian Brobbey rescued the Black Cats a point in the dying embers, hooking the ball past David Raya.

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What Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal’s draw with Sunderland

Speaking in a post-match interview, Arteta was visibly devastated by the concession of the late equaliser, but was proud of his players’ efforts.

“It’s 2-2. We conceded two very similar goals,” he said.

“They are really good at what they do, the way they create the chaos, play the long balls and the flicks, and the players that they commit forward. We conceded two very similar goals, which is not good enough for ourselves.

“But this team showed an incredible resilience and courage to go back from that result, to score the equaliser, to score the second goal. We were pushing and even though at the end we concede the goal, we have a massive chance at the end to win it.

“I’m very proud of the team. There are things to improve. This shows you how difficult it is what we’ve done in the last ten games, to win ten games and not concede a goal.”

A disappointing result was bound to come for Arsenal

Arsenal have been on an unbelievable run, winning each of their last ten matches prior to this clash, whilst not conceding in their last eight.

It was inevitable that they were going to come unstuck at some point, particularly given that they have six attacking players out injured and have been playing every three days.

The manner of the dropped points will come as a big blow to the Gunners, but Arteta has to ensure that his players keep their heads held up and are able to bounce back after the international break.

Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates in two weeks’ time.