"The Gunners went into Saturday's contest having not conceded since Nick Woltemade's goal for Sunderland's North East rivals Newcastle United on September 28. Arsenal came from behind to claim a rare win at St James' Park and will need to do the same to prevail on Wearside following Ballard's emphatic opener. The Gunners were left exasperated early on when makeshift striker Mikel Merino went down in the area after being caught in the face by the arm of Arsenal academy graduate."
"Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, though Eberechi Eze curled narrowly over and Declan Rice tested Robin Roefs from a free-kick. However, it was Ballard who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, outmuscling Rice to meet Nordi Mukiele's knockdown with a powerful close-range finish. Arsenal saw a gilt-edged chance to level go begging when William Saliba blazed over, leaving Sunderland 45 minutes from a win that would move the league's surprise package four points behind the leaders."
Arsenal's eight-game run without conceding ended when Dan Ballard gave Sunderland the lead at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal had not conceded since Nick Woltemade's goal for Newcastle United on September 28. Mikel Merino went down in the area after being struck in the face by an Arsenal academy graduate's arm, requiring lengthy treatment, but VAR did not review the incident for a penalty. Arsenal struggled to fashion clear chances in the first half, with Eberechi Eze curling narrowly over and Declan Rice testing Robin Roefs from a free-kick. Ballard outmuscled Rice to score from Nordi Mukiele's knockdown in the 36th minute. William Saliba missed a gilt-edged opportunity, leaving Sunderland close to a win that would place them four points behind the leaders.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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