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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult match for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven point advantage over City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 seeking what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after joining from the German club, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland went into the game with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

His Know-How and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the squad quickly adjust to top-tier football. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a ball into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the bar.

Wilson Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before a further lengthy break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record 8 successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the region for Arsenal, who were under pressure for spells after the interval.

They needed a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move featuring the winger and Merino culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a next score and the coach made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another moment of skill was not long in coming. They worked the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough room to fire a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.