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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult night for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal have a seven point lead over Manchester City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been eight years outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front 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 ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

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

Wilson Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before a further long stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to follow for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record eight consecutive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the area for Arsenal, who were pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a next score and the coach introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

A further example of quality was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the area, found enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a flying block at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.