Saka ends drought, yet Arsenal slip in title race after late blow

November 10, 2025 Oliver Obel

The Gunners arrived in the North East sitting on top of the Premier League table and determined to extend their lead. Their evening, however, became complicated when former Arsenal academy graduate Dan Ballard fired Sunderland ahead midway through the first half — a moment that drew loud cheers from the home crowd.

Arsenal responded after the break. Bukayo Saka brought them level just before the hour mark, finishing calmly after a well-worked move down the right. Then Leandro Trossard appeared to complete the turnaround, curling in a superb strike from distance with a little over ten minutes to play.

But Sunderland refused to fold. Deep into added time, Brian Brobbey rose highest to head home the equaliser, ensuring both sides shared the points. For Arsenal, it felt like two points lost rather than one gained — their lead at the top now trimmed to six points ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.

Arteta: “We have to handle that”

Speaking to Match of the Day after the match, Arteta acknowledged his side’s frustration while praising Sunderland’s spirit.

“Credit to them, it was the type of game that they wanted to throw you in and you have to handle that,” he said. “We conceded a goal in a manner we knew was one of their biggest strengths.”

Arteta added:

“After that I think we reacted well. We scored the first goal, then the second and the game was dominated. But in any moment, they just need a foul or a long throw to create that chaos. You have to defend actions well. We’re really disappointed because even at the end we had a massive chance to win it.”

The Arsenal manager’s comments echoed a recurring theme this season — his team’s dominance in possession not always translating into maximum points.

Saka’s surprising stat

According to BBC Sport, Saka’s equaliser was his sixth goal in all competitions this season and his third in the Premier League. But it also came with a remarkable footnote: it was his first league goal scored outside London in 19 months.

The last time the England international found the net away from the capital was in April 2024, during Arsenal’s 3–0 win over Brighton. Since then, every league goal he’s scored had come on London soil — a pattern that finally ended in Sunderland.

At just 23, Saka continues to be one of Arsenal’s most influential players. Yet this statistic underlines how much of his impact has been felt closer to home — and how significant this goal could be as the title race tightens.

Arsenal stay top, but pressure builds

Despite the draw, Arsenal remain top of the Premier League heading into the international break. Sunderland, meanwhile, continue their impressive rise, holding on to a top-four place in their first season back in the top flight after promotion from the Championship.

For Arsenal, though, the result serves as a reminder of the fine margins in the title chase — and perhaps a sign that their London talisman has rediscovered his scoring touch away from home.

Sources: BBC Sport, Match of the Day, Premier League Stats Service