Brian Brobbey scored a last-gasp equalizer to lead in-form Sunderland to a 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
A stalled first half suddenly burst into life when former Arsenal academy product Dan Ballard sent the home side in front with a brilliant finish, ending Arsenal’s run of eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
Bukayo Saka equalized with a low shot in the second half, and with Arsenal dominating most of the game in the second half, Leandro Trossard sent the visitors ahead with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area.
Late drama followed when Proby stabbed in Ballard’s header to earn a point for the hosts against the top team in the division.
Sunderland named the same line-up for the third successive match and Arsenal made three changes for their Champions League win in midweek with Ebereche Eze, Martin Zobimendi and Riccardo Calafiore starting.
Early in the game, a cross by Mikel Merino brought him into collision with Ballard, resulting in a short stop and a free-kick taken by Declan Rice which was cleared by Robin Roofes.
Rice blocked a simple shot, but Arsenal wasted a great chance when Eze latched on to Enzo Lu’s mistimed pass and could only send his shot over the bar.
There was another stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fee and Jurriën Timber before Saka’s effort was blocked by Roefs.
Sunderland took the lead in the 36th minute when Nordi Mukiele headed the ball into the penalty area for Ballard, who raced past Rice and fired a powerful shot past David Raya.
The visiting team came close to scoring in stoppage time of the first half when Saka passed the ball to William Saliba, who shot over the crossbar before Mukiele shot the ball wide of the goal.
Eze blocked a shot from a long throw early in the second half and Noah Siddiqi moved forward before playing a neat ball inside Wilson Isidore who shot past the Arsenal defence.
Zobimendi’s low shot was blocked by Rufus and Saka shot wide before Arsenal equalized in the 54th minute when Rice saved Le Vie and raced into the box for Merino to pass to Saka, who beat Rufus at the near post.
The goal got Arsenal involved when Zobimendi’s shot went wide of the post before Eze’s shot was blocked by Rufus and Sunderland then made a triple substitution with Proby, Simon Adingra and Shamsdin Talbi coming on.
The Gunners threatened again when Rufus’ punch fell on Zobimendi on the edge of the penalty area, with the midfielder hitting the crossbar.
Arsenal’s dominance paid off in the 74th minute as Trossard sent them in front for the first time in the game, curling up on the edge of the box before sending a stunning shot into the roof of the net.
– Transfer rumours and news: Manchester United and Arsenal eyeing ‘the next crossover’
– Arsenal player Arteta on Granit Xhaka: One of the best summer signings
– Champions League field standings: Arsenal will lose the title?
Ballard’s pass from a long throw forced Raya into an excellent save and the Arsenal goalkeeper made another important stop to deny Brobbie offside.
Moments later, Proby forced Raya into another brave stop, but the striker eventually found the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, clumsily curling the ball past Ballard’s header.
Rufus then denied Calafiore at the death, with Ballard blocking Merino’s follow-up after the save, as the Black Cats retained the point.
