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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

It was a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had spent almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the squad quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the bar.

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

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain resisted Rice to lash the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 consecutive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable visit to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the interval.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move involving Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

Another example of quality was not far away. Arsenal moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of Merino in the match's last action.