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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult night for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal have a seven point advantage over City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six points in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after signing from the German club, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after achieving the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent almost a decade outside the top flight.

His Know-How and Guidance

The player's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the box, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

Isidor fired off target at the other end before another lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to follow for stunned Arsenal. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a team best 8 successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult outing to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for periods after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

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

The Winger Increases the Advantage

A further moment of skill was not far away. They moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the box, created enough room to fire a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.