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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven point advantage over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after making the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's expertise, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze almost cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the other end before a further long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team 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 last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the interval.

They required a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris made three changes to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Extends the Lead

A further moment of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from the substitute after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the toes of the attacker in the match's final moment.