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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after second-half goals from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

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

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland entered the game with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth place, a standing few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been eight years away from the Premier League.

His Know-How and Guidance

The player's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

Arteta, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the bar.

Isidor shot wide at the other end before another long stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a set-piece into the visiting area and the captain resisted Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record 8 successive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the interval.

They needed a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move featuring Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach made three changes to his offense – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

A further moment of skill was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of Merino in the match's last action.