2 Up, 2 Down: Sunderland Beaten By Arsenal

Emirates Stadium, London – Sunderland’s promotion bandwagon hit a speed bump on Sunday evening as Arsenal’s relentless march toward a potential quadruple continued with a 3-0 victory that left the Black Cats reflecting on fine margins rather than a lack of effort.

Head coach Stewart voiced pride in his side’s application, insisting the visitors produced “our absolute best effort” against a side he labelled “the best team walking the planet right now.” Despite matching Arsenal for long spells and enjoying more possession than many anticipated, Sunderland were undone by clinical finishing and, in their view, a string of officiating decisions that went against them.

Brian Brobbey emerged as the game’s focal point, tormenting the league leaders with his blend of power and movement. The Dutch striker, who earlier in the campaign outmuscled Gabriel to earn a point at the Stadium of Light, appeared even sharper this time around. “I can bet that Gabriel and William Saliba haven’t faced anything as difficult as Brian Brobbey this season,” Stewart said, nominating the forward as his man of the match. Brobbey’s early chance, dragged wide under pressure, was the clearest opening Sunderland mustered.

Arsenal’s opener arrived when Leandro Trossard was granted space to curl a precise shot inside the far post, a concession Stewart attributed to lax closing down. The second, a sweeping move finished off by Bukayo Saka, and a late third from substitute Kai Havertz, sealed a scoreline the visitors felt was harsh. “It was only the third goal that really killed us off,” Stewart maintained, arguing the contest remained in the balance until the closing stages.

Officiating dominated the post-match discourse. Stewart criticised referee Samuel Barrott for failing to dismiss Saliba for persistent fouls, ignoring penalty appeals after Martin Zubimendi appeared to fell Dan Ballard, and repeatedly waving away Brobbey’s tussles with Arsenal’s centre-backs. “I’m getting sick of whingeing about the officials,” he admitted, “but it would be neglect if I didn’t raise the issue of Brobbey and Ballard being treated differently because they’re physical.”

The result extends Sunderland’s winless away run since October’s memorable triumph at Stamford Bridge, though draws at Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton have kept their season on track. With home form compensating for travel sickness, Stewart’s side remain well placed in the table ahead of a midweek reunion with Liverpool on Wearside.

Fitness concerns linger over versatile defender Mohamed Sadiki, withdrawn as a precaution, while new signing Habib Diarra offered a brief glimpse of his pace during a late cameo. Omar Alderete, otherwise lauded for a superb campaign, survived a nervy spell in which he twice surrendered possession cheaply.

Stewart refused to dwell on negativity, instead framing the night as evidence of progress. “We came up via the playoffs and just competed at the home of the champions-in-waiting,” he said. “That can’t be written off as anything less than good progress.”

Arsenal leave with three more points and another statement victory; Sunderland leave with pride intact and a reminder that, against the elite, even the smallest lapse can prove costly.