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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven point advantage over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the game with no pressure after making the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a position not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had spent almost a decade away from the Premier League.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the bar.

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

The Hosts Take the Lead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to lash the ball past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the North East in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late 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 St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the break.

They needed a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and Merino culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

A further example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the ball from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

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