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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal have 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 points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this season after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the game with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been eight years outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was able to play on.

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

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another lengthy break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

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

They needed a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Increases the Lead

Another example of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the area, created enough room to lash a right-footed shot into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a flying challenge at the feet of Merino in the match's final moment.