Dan Ballard drops brutal Arsenal truth, explains celebration and opens up on Blackpool and Millwall loans

Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard says he is feeling “stronger than ever” following the club’s return to the Premier League — and insists his celebration against Arsenal was inevitable, given he never felt a genuine connection to their senior squad.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Ballard reflected on his physical growth, last season’s play-off run, and the mentality that continues to fuel his progress. Since arriving on Wearside, his toughness, humility, and work ethic have made him something of a cult hero — a player whose journey mirrors the club’s own.

Ballard admits his career was shaped more by struggle than natural talent.

“I was never the most gifted kid and had to fight hard for every chance,” he explained.
“Even now, I carry that with me. I still feel like I need to prove I belong, that I can compete at this level and help my team.”

He believes fans value that attitude — a gritty, no-nonsense style rooted in doing the basics and fighting for the badge.

“It’s probably a very British way of playing — being tough, doing the simple things well. You might stop improving if you get complacent, so it’s about going into every game with that nervous edge and trying to show you’re good enough.”

A complicated Arsenal history

Ballard’s time at Arsenal is one of gratitude mixed with what might have been. He joined at eight years old, was released twice, and eventually earned a scholarship after impressing against Bayern Munich. But despite his loyalty to the club, the pathway to the first team never materialised.

“I love Arsenal for everything they did for me, but I never had a real link with the first team. My relationship was always with the academy — the staff, the coaches, the people who helped me. I never got that chance in the senior side.
So in a game like that, in that stadium, I was always going to celebrate. I’ll give 100% wherever I play, and I think fans respect that.”

Building power in the gym

Ballard’s evolution into one of Sunderland’s most reliable defenders has been fuelled by setbacks. Injuries disrupted his 2023–24 campaign and forced him to rethink how he prepared physically.

“Last year was really stop-start. I felt good the season before and wanted to push on, but I was held back by injuries. I managed to get back fit right before the play-offs, and then I put in a huge amount of work over the summer.”

That work included bulking up to handle the intensity of Premier League football.

“I’ve been in the gym a lot and added some size — maybe half a kilo or more. It makes a big difference. I feel more powerful, more solid, and it’s showing in my performances, so I’ve just got to maintain it.”

Loans that hardened him

Ballard credits his time away from Arsenal — even the setbacks — for forging the mentality that defines him now.

From an unsuccessful, injury-hit spell at Swindon to standout seasons with Blackpool and Millwall, every stop contributed to his development.

“Those experiences helped me grow. I had a brilliant year at Blackpool — we got promoted — then Millwall was special in its own way. It was the first season with fans back after COVID, and I built a strong relationship with them. I really felt their backing. They helped me so much in my first Championship season.”

Promotion and belief

Ballard’s dramatic extra-time winner against Coventry City in the 2024–25 play-off semi-final sent Sunderland to Wembley, where they defeated Sheffield United to secure their long-awaited Premier League return. Since then, his influence has only continued to rise.

“We’ve started the season really well. Going up through the play-offs — there’s no feeling like it. It brings a squad together. We’ve brought in a lot of new players this summer, and everything is clicking.”