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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in Saturday's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the match with no pressure after achieving the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Know-How and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

Early Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further long stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to follow for bruised the visitors. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the visiting area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a club-record eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

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

They needed a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack featuring Eze and Merino culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach introduced three changes to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Extends the Lead

Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, created enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Late Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving challenge at the toes of Merino in the game's last action.