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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky night for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven point lead over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this season after joining from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland entered the game with no pressure after making the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent eight years away from the top flight.

His Know-How and Guidance

The player's experience, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

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

Eberechi Eze nearly 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 crossbar.

Isidor shot off target at the other end before a further long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to follow for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a team best eight consecutive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the interval.

They needed a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move featuring the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough space to fire a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

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

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a flying challenge at the toes of Merino in the match's final moment.