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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

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

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners 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 went into the match with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

The player's experience, much of it earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team rapidly adapt to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further long stoppage after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to follow for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain resisted Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

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

Arsenal Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who were under pressure for spells after the break.

They needed a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move involving Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Increases the Lead

A further moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal moved the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, found enough room to fire a right-footed shot into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The goal was met by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a flying challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.