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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky night for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after signing from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had been eight years outside the Premier League.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the contest.

Early Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was able to play on.

Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the attempt flew over the bar.

Isidor fired wide at the other end before another long break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had conceded since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a team best eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was another uncomfortable visit to the region for the London side, who were pegged back for spells after the interval.

They needed a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move featuring Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Extends the Lead

A further moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving challenge at the feet of the attacker in the match's final moment.