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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Leaders

It was a difficult match for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this season after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the match with no pressure after making the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the other end before a further long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and the captain held off Declan Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had let in since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had maintained a team best 8 consecutive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was another uncomfortable visit to the region for the London side, who were pegged back for periods after the break.

They needed a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a next score and the coach made three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

Another example of skill was not long in coming. They moved the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.