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The Arsenal boss expressed his profound disappointment and frustration following his side gave up a last-gasp equaliser versus Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. A 94th-minute goal from replacement Brian Brobbey secured a point for the home side, who currently sit fourth in the table.

“It’s not a nice feeling,” Arteta stated. “It’s disappointment and frustration, since we wanted the full points. We faced a difficult match. We knew that. [They were] very disruptive. We needed to handle circumstances that were obviously difficult to deal with.”

Former Arsenal academy trainee Ballard had opened the scoring in a first half that seemingly unsettled the visitors. When asked about his feelings when the team’s club-record streak without conceding was broken, the manager replied: “It hurts, because I hate giving up goals.” The team improved in the second half and went ahead through strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard.

Manager's View of Sunderland’s Opener

Arteta commented on the first goal: “We let in a score that was not in our standards, but after that, the team responded superbly, showed a lot of character and bravery. Got the first goal, scored the second goal, and we completely controlled the game.

“You have to rely on protecting the area when they push forward multiple attackers in the box. It can be from a direct play, a throw-in, or any scenario. We should have defended it better. And today we haven’t done it, we let a goal in.”

Final-Moment Action and Missed Chance

Even after Brobbey’s equaliser, the defender needed to stop a Mikel Merino shot. Arteta added: “At the death, we had one more big opportunity to win, which I think we deserved.”

Sunderland Boss Applauds Squad’s Spirit

Régis Le Bris praised the “character” of his squad, whose motto during last season’s successful run in the Championship playoffs was: “Till the end”.

“This demonstrates the team has a very resilient spirit,” said Le Bris. “It’s always difficult against a team like Arsenal, one of the best teams in Europe, so it requires a brilliant performance, or else it’s impossible to win a result.

“I think the first half was well balanced, we aimed to press high when possible, organised a deep block, really compact, focused, aggressive, and we had the chance to manage the ball at times.

“The latter period was a little harder, because you spend much time defending, and then you have to stay composed in possession, and we possess a really young squad, really young players without great experience in the Premier League, so it’s a good lesson.

“Believe we were just on the edge after the 2-1, and Arsenal were dominant, and they were skilled at retaining the ball. But thanks to the crowd’s support, I think the characteristics of our players, and the background we have now, I think it’s really positive for this belief, and this confidence, that we can change the dynamic.”