Sunderland’s Tactical Tweaks Stifle Arsenal’s Long Throws

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris confessed to a clever tactical move that helped his side hinder Arsenal’s long throw-ins, as the Black Cats battled to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light—a result that temporarily halted Arsenal’s Premier League title push.

Sunderland’s Plan to Stop Arsenal’s Long Throws

Sunderland’s tactical awareness was on display from the first whistle. Le Bris revealed post-match that his staff strategically moved the advertising boards closer to the touchline before kick-off, severely restricting Arsenal’s room to execute their increasingly potent long throw-ins. This subtle adjustment played a crucial role in neutralizing one of the Gunners’ favored set-piece routines, limiting their aerial threat inside the box.

“It was absolutely obvious this threat was really important for this game, and in the end, it was balanced,” Le Bris told BBC Sport, his satisfaction barely concealed. “We tried to find the details to win the game. They are really strong on set-pieces, and we were good as well.”

Pulsating Premier League Clash

The match itself was a showcase of intensity and resilience. Sunderland took a deserved lead midway through the first half when Dan Ballard powered home a header after Arsenal failed to clear a corner, sending the home crowd into raptures.

After the break, Arsenal regrouped. Bukayo Saka equalized in the 54th minute with a clinical poacher’s finish, and Leandro Trossard gave the visitors the lead with a beautifully curled strike in the 74th minute, seemingly setting Arsenal up for yet another comeback victory.

But Sunderland refused to yield. Deep in stoppage time, Ballard flicked on a long throw—ironically, the very tactic they had worked so hard to neutralize from Arsenal. The ball broke kindly for Brian Brobbey, whose acrobatic bicycle kick beat David Raya and levelled the match at 2-2.

Le Bris Praises Belief and Gamesmanship

Le Bris praised his squad’s never-say-die spirit and their ability to adapt. “The lads worked hard to the end. They believed it was possible to change the dynamic. We struggled, but we still believed it was possible to score one more goal. Our fans helped a lot. We showed before that it was possible [to score late goals], so now we have this faith, this belief that until the final whistle, anything is possible,” he said.

Interestingly, Sunderland have used the advertising-board tactic before, notably in last season’s Championship play-off against Coventry City—a game that ended in their favor and helped them secure Premier League promotion.

Arteta Left Frustrated but Proud

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was visibly frustrated post-match but refused to dwell on the negatives. “Really tough test, we knew that. The way they set up, credit to them because they made it difficult for you,” he said. “It is two direct balls and we lose the flicks—it is the same action. Credit to the opposition. They committed a lot of players forward at the end with Ballard and created chaos.”

Despite disappointment, Arteta praised his injury-hit squad’s resilience and recent form: “So overall, we’re disappointed with the result, but so proud of the players because putting into perspective what they’ve done in the last 10 games, winning all of them with the amount of clean sheets that they had, with seven players injured.”

Sunderland’s Tactical Savvy Becoming a Trademark

This inventive gamesmanship signals a growing tactical maturity under Le Bris, reinforcing Sunderland’s place as Premier League survivors who can match top sides not just in spirit, but also in strategy. Their clever approach offers a blueprint for how underdogs can find small but crucial advantages against elite teams.

Looking ahead, Sunderland travel to Fulham, hoping to build on this momentum, while Arsenal prepare for a high-stakes north London derby against Tottenham after the international break. Stay updated on these stories and more for more news.

Opinion: Small Edges Make the Premier League Unpredictable

Le Bris’s move to limit Arsenal’s long throws is a reminder that in the Premier League, the smallest tactical tweaks can have outsized impacts. Sunderland’s willingness to exploit every marginal gain is a testament to the modern manager’s attention to detail. For Arsenal, it’s a lesson on adapting to inventive opposition, while for fans, it’s another reason why English football remains so compelling and unpredictable.