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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after second-half goals from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

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

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

The Home Side'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 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's experience, largely gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

Early Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in midweek's three-nil Champions League 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 took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the attempt soared over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the other end before a further long stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to lash 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 late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had maintained a team best eight successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult visit to the region for the London side, who were pegged back for spells after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

A further example of quality was not far away. They moved the ball from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, created enough room to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular shot from the substitute after the delivery was headed into the box. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.