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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker 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 Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the game with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight 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 earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a standing not many home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, much of it earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the squad quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

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

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for bruised the visitors. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal 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 Newcastle.

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

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult visit to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

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

The Winger Extends the Advantage

Another moment of skill was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's final moment.