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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky night for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after signing from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with nothing to lose 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 the Toffees on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had spent eight years away from the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

The player's experience, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he attacked a cross into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

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

Isidor fired off target at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën 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 free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard held off Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a team best eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable visit to the region for Arsenal, who were pegged back for spells after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move involving the winger and the striker ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another example of skill was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, found enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving challenge at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.