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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky night for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a top-flight season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent almost a decade away from the Premier League.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest.

Early Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the bar.

Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before a further long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher blow was to come next for stunned Arsenal. Sunderland sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to lash the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a team best eight successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the interval.

They required a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move featuring Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Extends the Lead

A further example of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, found enough space to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate 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.