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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Leaders

It was a difficult match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven point advantage over City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this season after signing from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match 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 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a position few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the team rapidly adapt to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

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

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was another uncomfortable outing to the region for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a flowing move featuring Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

A further moment of quality was not long in coming. They worked the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, found enough space to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular shot from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.