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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after late goals from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

It was a rocky match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point lead over City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade away from the Premier League.

His Experience and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the other end before another long stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

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

The Gunners had maintained a club-record eight successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

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

They needed a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and the striker ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach introduced three changes to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

Another example of skill was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough room to lash a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was met by a huge roar.

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