Arsenal slip up at Sunderland to open door for Liverpool and Man City - 5 talking points

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SUNDERLAND 2-2 ARSENAL: Premier League leaders Arsenal looked to be on the way to a crucial win at the Stadium of Light only for the Black Cats to steal a point in dramatic circumstancesArsenal let a potentially crucial win slip through their fingers as they were pegged back late on by a stubborn Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.Dan Ballard ended Arsenal's long run without conceding a goal as he gave Sunderland the lead with a spectacular finish. Here are all of the talking points from the Stadium of Light:READ MORE: Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal transfer verdict after Gabriel Jesus injury updateREAD MORE: Declan Rice has already made Arsenal point clear amid Paul Scholes criticismBallard on target againDan Ballard has picked up a very useful habit of finding the net in key moments for Sunderland - and his latest strike came arguably against his most poingnant opponents yet.

The defender came through the Arsenal academy - never making an appearance - and was sent out on a series of loans before finding a permanent home at the Stadium of Light.His goal against Arsenal saw him latch onto a long ball, brush off Declan Rice in the process and thunder the ball past David Raya in the Arsenal net. It was the finish of a cultured striker, not a burly centre-back, but it was no surprise that it required something magnificent to end Arsenal's long run without conceding a goal.Who was man-of-the-match between Arsenal and Sunderland?

The Swiss midfielder gave the side the experinced and collected head that they desperately needed as they came under pressure against arguably the toughest opponents that they've faced this season.And his performance, alongside his Sunderland teammates, was enough to seal a dramatic point in the North East.Saka pounces on errorWhile Sunderland's captain was key to their impressive performance, Arsenal required their skipper to dig them out of a hole. Summer signing Brobbey outmuscled Gabriel and nudged the ball home with an instinctive throw of his leg.Given Sunderland's form this season, a point is not the end of the world but Arteta and his players will be gutted that they've left the door ajar to Liverpool and Manchester City.Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.