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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point advantage over City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining 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 Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

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 in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had been eight years away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

The player's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Isidor shot off target at the other end before another lengthy break after a clash of heads between Le Fée 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 bruised the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break.

They needed a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and Merino culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, found enough space to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the game's final moment.