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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence 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 outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after making the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth place, a position not many local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

The player's expertise, largely gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to top-tier football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a team best eight consecutive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

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

They needed a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving the winger and Merino ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach made a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Increases the Lead

Another moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular shot from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the game's final moment.