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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute 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 Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal have a seven point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a standing not many home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their team had spent eight years outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

The player's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the other end before a further lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain held off Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a team best 8 consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was another difficult outing to the region for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

A further example of quality was not far away. They moved the ball 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 corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the match's last action.