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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

It was a difficult match for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the match with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a position few local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

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

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

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

Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further long stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to come next for stunned the visitors. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. 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 late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They needed a moment of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move involving the winger and the striker culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and the coach introduced three changes to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

Another example of quality was not long in coming. They worked the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Late Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – 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 game's last action.