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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult night for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after signing from the German club, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the match with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position not many home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

Early Moments and Injuries

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in midweek's 3-0 European win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball 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 September's end, when they had demonstrated 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 Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for periods after the break.

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

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough space to lash a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.