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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth place, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had spent eight years away from the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Isidor fired off target 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 Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and the striker culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach made three changes to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

Another example of skill was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, created enough space to lash a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the toes of Merino in the game's final moment.