Arsenal's recent Premier League match against Sunderland ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving manager Mikel Arteta expressing his frustration and highlighting the need for key players to return from injury. The Gunners, who had been enjoying a rich vein of form, saw their ten-game winning streak come to an end at the Stadium of Light.

The game was a tightly contested affair, with Sunderland taking the lead through a stunning strike from Dan Ballard, a former Arsenal academy player. Arsenal responded in the second half with goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, appearing to secure a hard-fought victory. However, Brian Brobbey's late equalizer salvaged a point for the Black Cats, leaving Arteta's side disappointed.

Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of the match, pointing out Sunderland's direct style of play and the challenges they posed. "It was a difficult game. They made it a tough place to come," Arteta said. "You know how they play." Despite the setback, he maintained a sense of perspective, emphasizing that Arsenal remains at the top of the league. "We have to keep perspective. We're still first, still working," he stated.

The Arsenal manager also spoke about the impact of injuries on his squad. With several first-team players sidelined, Arteta stressed the importance of getting them back to full fitness. "Good to get a break with Odegaard, Havertz, Gyokeres among the missing: “We have seven injured players...".

Specifically, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz are among those currently unavailable. Gyokeres is out with a muscle injury, while Martinelli's absence is due to an unspecified issue. Odegaard and Havertz are both recovering from knee injuries. There is optimism that Odegaard, Havertz and Noni Madueke could return for the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.

Gabriel Jesus, who has been out since January after suffering a knee injury, has returned to training. Arteta expressed his delight at having Jesus back, saying, "I'm thrilled to have him". "I think he's going to add something extra to the team that we don't have, and make sure that very soon we see him on that pitch making an impact for the team". However, there is no set date for when Jesus will return to match action.

Looking ahead, Arteta emphasized the need for his team to learn from the draw against Sunderland and to improve in certain areas. "Of course it hurts, especially when it costs you points," Arteta said. "And we know that we have to do better, and even though we're conceding goals, there are things that we have to improve on the ball".

The Gunners' next game is against Tottenham Hotspur on November 23rd, a match that Arteta will be hoping to have some of his key players back for.