What Has Been Said Since Sunderland’s Draw With Arsenal

From the complimentary to the slightly strange, we take a look at what the managers, pundits, and presenters within the game have said following the eventful 2-2 draw between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light last Saturday evening.

What Has Been Said Following Sunderland’s Draw With Arsenal

Regis Le Bris Praises the Character of his Side

“It shows that the team has a really strong character,” said Le Bris. “It’s still tough against a team like Arsenal, one of the best teams in Europe, so you have to do a masterclass, otherwise it’s impossible to win something.”

Mikel Arteta Praises Both Teams

The Arsenal head coach said: “There are a lot of games like this in the Premier League right now. We conceded a goal in a manner we knew was one of their biggest strengths. They do that really well.

“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, a direct ball to create that chaos.”

Gary Neville on Sunderland Fans

The Sky Sports pundit said: “Sunderland, the way in which they set up defensively, they’re very well organised, they’ve got a real threat going forward, they’ve got a momentum in the stadium, the fans are with them, they’re back in the Premier League. And I remember going up to Sunderland, I remember going to Roker Park and playing, let alone the Stadium of Light, and when it’s rocking up there, it truly does rock, and they’ve done brilliantly this season.”

Theo Walcott Believes Arsenal Should Have Been Given a Penalty

Former Arsenal and England winger believes his former team should have had an early penalty, saying,  “It’s not clear and obvious; however, it’s early in the game, it’s seven minutes into the game, and Dan Ballard, of course, wants to put his mark on the game. In my opinion, he’s disruptive, and there’s a slight movement from the elbow to Merino’s cheekbone.

“Me and Al (Alan Shearer) definitely don’t agree with it; however, I do feel like his elbow was in quite a high condition, shall we call it, and it was very disruptive.”

Alan Shearer Praises Sunderland

Ex Newcastle United striker and Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer said: “Ballard epitomised everything Sunderland have done so well, with his aggression and stopping Arsenal play. They are really, really tough to play against, and there were so many examples of him and his team putting their bodies on the line. Arsenal will not have many tougher games than that this season, and Sunderland thoroughly deserved the point.”

Richard Keys on Advertising Boards

Presenter Richard Keys believes that moving the advertising boards was endangering players. Speaking on BeIN Sports, he said: “That might be endangering the well-being of those on the football pitch. I know there’s a meeting at Arsenal tomorrow to discuss. No rules have been broken, Sunderland are well within their rights, but I’m not sure. On the one hand, it’s very smart, it’s a talking point, and it did go unnoticed by Arsenal, and it was a subject of conversation after they’d left the ground yesterday, so we’ll wait for developments on that.”

Michael Gray Gets it Wrong

Former Sunderland full-back and now TalkSport pundit Michael Gray got things a little mixed up when praising Sunderland’s Northern Ireland international defender Dan Ballard. He said: “This is a late shout and it might be going a little over the top, but we haven’t got too many centre-halves in our country. Has he left it too late? Because I think his performances deserve an England call-up.”

Ballard, although born in England, has represented Northern Ireland for several years and has played more than 30 times for them.