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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent eight years outside the Premier League.

His Know-How and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before a further lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for stunned Arsenal. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the visiting area and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal 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.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record eight successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break.

They needed a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Increases the Lead

Another moment of skill was not far away. They worked the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough space to lash a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.