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

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a standing few home supporters would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

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

Early Moments and Knocks

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze almost cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the bar.

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

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a team best 8 successive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the break.

They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a flowing move featuring the winger and the striker ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and the coach made a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

A further moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the box. 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 flying challenge at the feet of Merino in the game's final moment.