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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

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 engine room this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth place, a position not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent eight years outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor fired wide at the other end before another long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën 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. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. 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 championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 consecutive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent 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 three changes to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

A further example of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough space to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying block at the feet of the attacker in the game's last action.