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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

It was a rocky match for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal have a seven point lead over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the game with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position few local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent eight years away from the Premier League.

His Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest.

Early Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before a further lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain resisted Declan Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another difficult visit to the region for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for periods after the interval.

They required a instance 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 culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Extends the Lead

Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the area, created enough space to fire a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The goal was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.