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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, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven point lead over Manchester City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 seeking what he called a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Experience and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor fired off target at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and Ballard held off Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a team best eight successive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

Sunderland ensured that it was another difficult visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break.

They needed a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move involving Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

Another example of quality was not far away. They worked the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the box, created enough room to fire a right-footed shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the match's last action.