Régis Le Bris Issues Honest Sunderland Verdict On Arsenal Defeat Amid Mikel Arteta Praise

Sunderland were beaten 2-0 by Premier League title-holders Arsenal on Saturday, leaving Black Cats boss Régis Le Bris rightfully "proud" of his players' performances, but "disappointed" by the defeat.

Within the first-half of Sunderland's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta's side dominated possession, but both sides created openings as the Black Cats' defensive structure remained resolute.

However in the second-half, the game became more open and saw Ezri Konsa hurl Dan Ballard to the ground in the Arsenal penalty area, only for the outstanding David Raya to push Enzo Le Fee's spot-kick onto the post with his fingertips to deny a Sunderland lead.

Moments later, the Black Cats were punished for the missed opportunity, with former Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães scoring a stunning long-range strike to open his Gunners account, much to the dismay of the Stadium of Light faithful.

Despite Sunderland carving out chances to equalise, Arsenal doubled their lead in injury-time, with Bukayo Saka netting a penalty he won from a foul by Reinildo, who was brandished a second yellow card as a result, to see the ten-man Black Cats end come away with nothing from a hearty performance.

After the game, Le Bris outlined that he was both "proud and disappointed" of the result, and that mixture of emotions was also felt amongst the Sunderland supporters.

Pride, at the fact of going toe-to-toe with the Premier League champions, but a tinge of regret given their rued chances to take atleast a point from proceedings, of which they would have more than earned.

At full-time, Le Bris said: "I'm proud and disappointed, these are the two words that are in my mind at the minute

"After the first half, we were a bit reserved with the ball, I think, but our second half was excellent.

"We got the momentum, created chances, a big save from (David) Raya from the penalty. The league is relentless, and this level is relentless, just after we conceded this goal.

"But we stayed in the game and created other chances, but didn't score, and this is the difference today."

Not only was Le Bris complimentary of his players' performances, but so was Gunners boss Arteta, who was pleased to come away with the victory against a Black Cats side he labelled "so good in so many phases."

Prior to the visit to Wearside, Arsenal had come back from behind to beat fierce London rivals Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates in the Premier League last weekend, before journeying to Napoli in the Champions League for the 1-0 midweek win.

In great credit to Sunderland, Le Bris' side gave the champions more to think about than the Italian giants, and as a result, Arteta heaped praise on the red-and-white opposition. 

Arteta said: "It was a beautiful game of football, with two teams and an atmosphere in the stadium that was unbelievable.

"We had to cope with all of that; it was a lot in a really difficult week after Chelsea and Napoli.

"But we stayed in the game and created other chances, but didn't score, and this is the difference today."

He added: "They throw up numbers; they know exactly how to do it, the timing is so good, the type of players that they do. But not only that, when you give them space to play as well, they play, they are a really, really good side.

"At any other moment, we could have conceded a goal in a different way, and that's part of the game as well."

Sunderland ought to be proud that they threatened to breach the seemingly impenetrable Arsenal defence and gave the champions arguably their most difficult game of the season to date, but that pride is tinged with regret considering the chances they had to take what they had earned.