Arteta feels ‘pain in my tummy’ as Arsenal draw with Sunderland

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted he felt pain in his tummy after they played a 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The Gunners conceded for the first time in 881 minutes when Daniel Ballard found the back of the net in the 36th minute to put Sunderland in front.

Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard then scored in the 54th and 74th minute respectively to put the visitors in front but Brian Brobbey scored in stoppage time to help his team share the spoils.

Arsenal have conceded only five goals in the ongoing Premier League season, which is the lowest for any team.

“I felt a pain in my tummy,” Arteta said. “I don’t want to concede any goals. It was a goal and put the game in a difficult position.”

The Spaniard admitted it was a disappointing result for the team as they wanted to bag all three points against fourth-placed Sunderland.

“The last feeling, it’s disappointment and frustration because we wanted the three points and we have to navigate through a really tough game,” Arteta said.

“We knew that, very disruptive. We have to deal with situations that are obviously difficult to deal with. They played really well, we conceded a goal that is not in our standards.

“After that I think the team reacted really well, we showed a lot of personality and courage, scored the first goal, scored the second goal and we had totally dominated the game.

“Then you have to rely on defending the box when they start to put six or seven players there. It can be from a direct play, a throw-in or any situation, we can defend the action better.

“Today we haven’t done it and conceded the goal.”

Arsenal is at the top of the Premier League standings with eight wins, two losses, and one draw. Arteta’s team will next take on Tottenham Hotspur on 23rd November.