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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 Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a difficult night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 seeking what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, largely gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

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

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain resisted Declan Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a team best 8 successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult visit to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break.

They required a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Increases the Lead

A further moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

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