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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained 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 in the lead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky night for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 seeking what he called a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss 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 entered the match with no pressure after making the best start to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, 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 Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further long stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful blow was to follow for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a club-record eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was another uncomfortable visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for periods after the interval.

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

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

A further example of quality was not far away. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the area, found enough space to fire a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the box. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

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