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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was 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 Chelsea could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

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

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the other end before a further long break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record eight successive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

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

They required a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving the winger and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and the coach introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Extends the Lead

Another example of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland 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 deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a flying block at the toes of Merino in the match's final moment.