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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven point advantage over City, who host Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth place, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had been eight years outside the Premier League.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor fired off target at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to follow for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting area and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had conceded since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a club-record 8 successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult outing to the region for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break.

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

The visitors pushed for a next score and Le Bris made three changes to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the delivery was headed into the box. The goal was met by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving challenge at the feet of the attacker in the match's final moment.