Dan Ballard: first Northern Irish to score against Arsenal in 10 years | OneFootball

Sunderland's Dan Ballard put in a standout performance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal, becoming the first Northern Irish player since 2015 to score against the Gunners in the Premier League.

Arsenal had been in imperious form, going eight games, six weeks, and 812 minutes without conceding in all competitions. That run ended in the 35th minute, when Ballard surged into the Arsenal box, took a cushioned touch, and hammered a right-footed strike past David Raya.

The Gunners hit back through Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, seemingly on course for the win. But deep into stoppage time, Brian Brobbey levelled with a last-gasp finish, set up by Ballard, and moments later the Northern Irishman blocked a goalbound effort from Mikel Merino to secure the point.

It was a memorable afternoon for Ballard, who came through Arsenal’s academy as a youngster. He scored, assisted, defended, and showed exactly what Sunderland - and Northern Ireland - stand to gain from his rise.

The goal also carries a quirky footnote: Ballard is only the ninth Northern Irishman to score against Arsenal in the Premier League, the first since Gareth McAuley netted for West Brom on the final day of the 2014/15 season.

Northern Irish players to have scored against Arsenal in the Premier League era: