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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult match for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven point lead over Manchester City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after making the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position not many home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent eight years outside the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's expertise, largely gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team sent a set-piece into the visiting box and Ballard held off Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a team best eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another difficult outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the interval.

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

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced three changes to his offense – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

A further moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

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

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the match's final moment.