“Unacceptable”- Régis Le Bris Delivers Honest Verdict After Dramatic Sunderland Draw vs Arsenal & Sends Passionate Message to Fans

Régis Le Bris Hails Sunderland’s Fighting Spirit After Dramatic 2-2 Draw With Arsenal

Régis Le Bris praised the determination and resilience of his Sunderland side after they battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal appeared to have taken control when Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard scored in the second half, overturning Sunderland’s early lead.

However, Brian Brobbey’s superb late volley earned the Black Cats a valuable point — another example of their never-say-die attitude that has become synonymous with the club’s ‘Til The End’ motto.

“It shows that the team has a really strong character,” Le Bris said. “We can change the momentum of a game with one decision or one moment of connection with our fans — and it happened again today.”

Le Bris admitted that facing a side of Arsenal’s quality required near perfection. “It’s always tough against a team like Arsenal, one of the best in Europe. You need a masterclass performance to get something from the game,” he explained.

“The first half was balanced. We defended high at times, stayed compact and aggressive, and tried to manage the ball when we could. In the second half, it was harder — Arsenal dominated possession, and with our young, inexperienced squad, it became a real test of composure. But it’s a valuable lesson.”

After falling 2-1 behind, Sunderland were forced to defend for long periods, but the atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light helped inspire their comeback. “When you feel the crowd behind you, it gives you strength. The noise, the energy — it pushes you to fight for every ball,” Le Bris added.

The Frenchman also highlighted how difficult it is to play against Arsenal’s pressing game: “They stay calm under pressure, push high, and counter-press with great organisation. It’s hard to breathe, but something changed — a spark, maybe — and the team responded.”

Sunderland nearly lost it late on, but Dan Ballard’s superb block on Mikel Merino in stoppage time preserved the draw. Le Bris couldn’t hide his admiration for his players’ defensive commitment.

“I was surprised when I first arrived here by how much these players care about defending,” he said. “In Sunderland, we have players who would give everything to protect the goal. It’s not just mentality — it’s also technique. Guys like Trai, Ballard, and Luke are exceptional at it.”

Le Bris concluded by once again praising the supporters: “Our fans are incredible. You can feel their passion from the pitch. One tackle, one run, one press — it can lift the whole stadium. I hope we keep that connection alive because it really makes the difference.”