🔗 Share this article

Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a difficult night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the game with nothing to lose after making 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 place, a position few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been eight years away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, largely gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

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

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal area and Ballard held off 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 demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a club-record 8 successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further difficult outing to the area for the London side, who were pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move involving Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a next score and the coach made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

A further example of quality was not far away. They moved the play from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough space to fire a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.