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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky night for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after making the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had been eight years away from the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to follow for bruised the visitors. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the visiting box and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a team best 8 consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

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

They required a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving the winger and the striker ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Extends the Lead

A further moment of quality was not far away. They worked the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, created enough space to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Late Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's final moment.