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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland entered the game with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters 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

The player's experience, largely gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the bar.

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

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. 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 they had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a team best 8 consecutive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was a further difficult outing to the region for the London side, who were pegged back for periods after the interval.

They needed a moment of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving the winger and Merino culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Extends the Lead

A further moment of quality was not far away. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the area, created enough space to lash a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving challenge at the toes of the attacker in the match's final moment.