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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six points in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade away from the Premier League.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher setback was to follow for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain held off Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had conceded since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had kept a club-record eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the region for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Increases the Lead

A further moment of skill was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, found enough room to lash a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.