Mikel Arteta feels the pain as Arsenal's streak ends in late Sunderland drama

Former Arsenal academy defender Dan Ballard opened the scoring for the hosts before halftime, smashing home to break the Gunners' clean-sheet record. Arsenal hit back strongly after the break, Bukayo Saka equalising with a near-post finish before Leandro Trossard curled in from distance to make it 2-1.

But in stoppage time, substitute Brian Brobbey pounced between David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes to snatch a dramatic point for newly promoted Sunderland. The result trimmed Arsenal's Premier League lead to seven points ahead of Manchester City's clash with Liverpool.

"I'm upset and frustrated," Arteta said. "It's an action we can defend better, but you have to credit Sunderland - they put six or seven men in the box. We deserved to win, but that's football."

Back in the top flight after eight years, Regis Le Bris's Sunderland have impressed, already taking points from Chelsea, Aston Villa and now Arsenal. "It shows our character," Le Bris said. "Against a team like Arsenal, you need belief till the end."

Despite the late sting, Arteta chose to highlight perspective. "Ten wins in a row, clean sheets, missing several attackers - it shows how hard this league is," he said.

With upcoming derbies against Tottenham and Chelsea and a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, Arsenal's response to this setback could prove decisive in the title race.

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