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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal have 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 evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been eight years away from the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Isidor shot off target at the other end before another long stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had maintained a team best 8 successive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult visit to the area for the London side, who were pegged back for periods after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move featuring the winger and the striker ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not long in coming. They moved the play from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough room to fire a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving challenge at the feet of Merino in the match's last action.