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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult night for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal have a seven-point advantage over City, who host Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend'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 exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from the German club, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland went into 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 term. A redirected effort 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 side had spent almost a decade outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

Early Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Isidor shot off target at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain held off Declan Rice to lash the ball 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 demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a club-record 8 consecutive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult visit to the area for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the interval.

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

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

The Winger Increases the Advantage

Another moment of skill was not far away. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough space to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.

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 feet of Merino in the match's final moment.