Alan Shearer defends Sunderland star after latest controversy vs Arsenal with instant disagreement
Dan Ballard was at the centre of everything brilliant about Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Saturday evening.
Ballard’s aerial threat has always been excellent in both boxes, but it was an instinctive half-volley that gave the Black Cats a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard looked to have put Sunderland to bed until Brian Brobbey scored an acrobatic volley from Ballard’s flick on in the 94th minute to send the Stadium of Light into delirium.
There was still more action on the cards, with the 25-year-old blocking Mikel Merino’s shot in the dying embers of the match to earn the Mackems a brilliant point against the league leaders.
The match was fairly straightforward for the officials, although Theo Walcott believes Ballard should have been sent off after an incident with Merino, a view with which Alan Shearer actually disagreed.
Theo Walcott demands Ballard red card, Alan Shearer jumps to his defence
Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal moves them up to third in the Premier League table for now, while the Gunners have extended their lead at the top to seven points.
In the opening minutes of the match, Merino was caught by Ballard’s left elbow as the Northern Irishmen cleared a cross with a brilliant header.
Speaking on Match of the Day on 8 November, Walcott believed that Ballard was lucky not to be sent off, whilst Shearer defended Ballard for the incident.
Walcott argued: “There’s a slight movement from Ballard’s elbow to Merino’s cheek, and his elbow is quite high.”
Shearer instantly disagreed, saying: “I think that if Ballard allows Merino to get across him, his manager will be going mad at him.
“He can’t jump without raising his arms for a header, and I don’t think there’s anything deliberate at all.”
| Sunderland | Stat | Arsenal |
| 2 | Goals | 2 |
| 35% | Possession | 65% |
| 6 | Shots | 17 |
| 0.44 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.09 |
| 2 | Big chances created | 4 |
| 79% | Pass accuracy | 87% |
We’re approaching strange times if we’re seeing the former Newcastle legend defend the Black Cats.
In this instance, he’s completely right, as it’s hard for a defender to jump for a header with his arms by his side, and there was no malicious intent in the challenge.
Shearer has praised Sunderland for their attitude this season, and he was incredibly impressed by their resilience and defensive shape once again on 8 November.
Sunderland executed their game plan perfectly, and they were more than happy to let the league leaders have the lion’s share of the ball.
Having played for Arsenal in his youth career, Ballard will be pleased on a personal level to be the key difference-maker on Saturday.
Everything Alan Shearer said about Dan Ballard
His performances in recent wins over Wolves and Chelsea have been incredible, but Ballard took his level to a new high against the league leaders.
Shearer continued: “He epitomised everything Sunderland are about this season. Have a look at the touch and the strike. Any forward would be proud of that finish.
“Ballard started his career at the Arsenal academy, and I thought him and Sunderland thoroughly deserved a point.”
The 26-year-old made six clearances and five headed clearances in Saturday’s game, and he’ll be thrilled with the point in the end.
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