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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after late strikes from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

It was a rocky night for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after signing from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's expertise, largely gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

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

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

A further moment of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, created enough room to lash a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of the attacker in the match's last action.