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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point advantage over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their team had spent eight years outside the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the team rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in midweek's 3-0 European win at Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

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

Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to follow for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard resisted Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was cleared. 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 late win over the Magpies.

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

Arsenal Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the area for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the interval.

They needed a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack featuring Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach introduced three changes to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, created enough space to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a flying block at the feet of the attacker in the match's last action.