Sunderland Boss Confesses to Cunning Plan to Try and Prevent Arsenal’s Long Throws After Holding Gunners to a Draw

Regis Le Bris’ Smart Tactical Twist Helps Sunderland Halt Arsenal’s Title Charge

It was a night that summed up everything that makes the Premier League magical — drama, determination, and a hint of mischief. At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland stood toe-to-toe with title-chasing Arsenal and, against all odds, earned a thrilling 2-2 draw. But the real story unfolded off the pitch, as Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris later confessed to a subtle act of gamesmanship that helped level the playing field — quite literally.

In a candid post-match revelation, Le Bris admitted that Sunderland had moved the advertising boards closer to the pitch before kick-off, limiting Arsenal’s space for their trademark long throw-ins. It was a cunning ploy aimed at neutralizing one of Mikel Arteta’s newest tactical weapons — and it worked to perfection.

The result? Arsenal’s relentless run of wins came to an end, their title charge momentarily slowed, while Sunderland celebrated one of their most spirited performances of the season.

A Thrilling Night at the Stadium of Light

It was one of those nights that every Sunderland fan will remember. The air was heavy with anticipation as the underdogs prepared to take on one of Europe’s most complete teams. But it was the hosts who struck first.

Midway through the first half, Dan Ballard rose highest from a corner, heading home from close range after Arsenal failed to clear their lines. The roar that followed could be heard across Wearside. It wasn’t a fluke — Sunderland had been aggressive, compact, and unafraid to push forward. For the opening 45 minutes, they rattled Arsenal.

But the Gunners are nothing if not resilient. After the break, they began to dominate possession, moving the ball with their usual precision. It didn’t take long for the pressure to pay off. Bukayo Saka, always alert inside the box, pounced on a loose ball in the 54th minute to level the score.

From there, the momentum shifted firmly toward Arsenal. When Leandro Trossard curled a sensational strike into the top corner twenty minutes later, it felt inevitable that the league leaders would find a way to close the game out.

Yet, in true Premier League fashion, the story wasn’t done. Deep into stoppage time, Sunderland launched one last throw into the Arsenal box — a hopeful, almost desperate heave. Ballard flicked it on, and suddenly, Brian Brobbey twisted mid-air to fire a bicycle kick beyond David Raya. The stadium erupted. In one breathtaking moment, Sunderland had snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.

Le Bris Spills the Beans on His Tactical Trick

Sunderland v Arsenal – Premier League

If the dramatic equalizer wasn’t enough to keep fans talking, Le Bris’ post-match comments certainly did the trick. Speaking to BBC Sport, the French manager revealed that Sunderland had purposefully adjusted the placement of the advertising hoardings to limit Arsenal’s long throw-ins — a detail few noticed during the game.

“Yeah, we tried to find the details to win the game,” he said, smiling knowingly. “They are really strong on set-pieces, and we were good as well. It was absolutely obvious this threat was really important for this game, and in the end, it was balanced.”

For context, Arsenal have developed a reputation this season for their clever use of long throws, often turning what seem like harmless restarts into dangerous attacking opportunities. The move to squeeze the space between the touchline and the boards effectively took that weapon away — and it was no coincidence.

As Le Bris explained, these fine margins can define results in the Premier League. “We knew we couldn’t match them in every aspect technically, but there are ways to make the game uncomfortable for them,” he continued. “Small things, small adjustments — sometimes they make the difference.”

And make a difference they did. Arsenal’s usual aerial dominance was blunted. Their deep throws, usually a source of chaos for opposition defenses, were barely attempted. It was an ingenious plan — part tactical mastery, part mischief.

“We Believed Until the End” — Sunderland’s Spirit Shines

For Le Bris, the draw was more than a tactical triumph; it was a testament to his team’s spirit. Sunderland, newly promoted and still finding their footing in the top flight, showcased belief and bravery in equal measure.

“The lads worked hard to the end. They believed it was possible to change the dynamic,” he said. “It was a tough game, as we expected. Arsenal are probably one of the best teams in Europe. We struggled, but we still believed it was possible to score one more goal.”

He went on to praise his young squad for their resilience under pressure: “We’re a new team. We felt their intensity, their quality — we were on the edge during the second half. But our fans helped us a lot. We showed before that late goals are possible, and now we have that belief. Until the final whistle, anything can happen.”

The final whistle brought not just relief but validation. Sunderland had stood firm against the league’s best and earned every bit of their point.

Arteta Frustrated but Proud

On the other side, Mikel Arteta could hardly hide his frustration. His side had dominated possession, created more chances, and yet somehow left the north-east with just one point.

“Really tough test, we knew that,” he admitted. “The way they set up, credit to them because they made it difficult for you. They take the game constantly to the areas that they want. You have to deal with that, and unfortunately at the end, we conceded a goal.”

Arteta pointed to the final moments as decisive. “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 and created chaos. In any moment, they can score. That is the reason they are where they are.”

Still, the Arsenal boss refused to be overly critical, instead choosing to praise his players’ consistency: “Overall, we’re disappointed with the result, but proud of the players. If you put it in perspective — ten straight wins before this, multiple clean sheets, seven players injured — that tells you everything about their mentality.”

A History of Smart Tactics

Sunderland v Arsenal – Premier League

Interestingly, Sunderland’s advertising-board trick isn’t entirely new. According to local reports, the Black Cats used the same tactic during last season’s Championship play-offs against Coventry City. It worked then too — disrupting Coventry’s throw-in routines and contributing to Sunderland’s eventual promotion push.

For Le Bris, attention to detail has become a hallmark of his coaching style. He’s not afraid to look for marginal gains, whether that means a change in pitch markings, subtle shifts in pressing triggers, or, as seen here, physical adjustments to the match environment itself.

“It’s about understanding the opponent,” he once said in a previous interview. “You can’t always have more talent, but you can have better preparation.”

Against Arsenal, that philosophy was on full display.

What’s Next for Both Sides

For Sunderland, the draw feels almost like a victory — a point that keeps morale high heading into a tricky away fixture against Fulham next weekend. The challenge now is consistency. Performances like this show they can compete, but doing it week in, week out will define their season.

As for Arsenal, this result may sting, but it’s far from a disaster. They remain firmly in the title race and will have the chance to bounce back in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.

If there’s one thing Arteta’s side have shown over the past two seasons, it’s resilience. A single late goal won’t derail their momentum — but it will serve as a reminder that in the Premier League, every detail matters.

Final Thoughts: Cunning, Courage, and Chaos in Equal Measure

Football often comes down to the smallest of margins — a misplaced pass, a deflected shot, or, in Sunderland’s case, a few inches of run-up space taken away by a cleverly positioned advertising board.

Le Bris’ tactical cunning will go down as one of the season’s cheekiest moments, but it was more than just gamesmanship; it was a symbol of belief. Against a team of Arsenal’s quality, you need more than effort — you need ingenuity. Sunderland had both.

As the Stadium of Light rocked in celebration and Arsenal trudged away in disbelief, one thing was clear: the Premier League’s unpredictability remains its greatest gift. And somewhere in his post-match office, Regis Le Bris allowed himself a small smile — his plan had worked.