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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult night for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left 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 campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the match with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position few local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

Early Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in midweek's 3-0 European win at Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eze almost took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the box, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before another long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to come next for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a team best eight consecutive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult outing to the area for Arsenal, who were pegged back for spells after the interval.

They required a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move featuring the winger and Merino ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Increases the Lead

Another moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough space to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular finish from the substitute after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a flying block at the toes of Merino in the game's last action.