Sunderland Stage Comeback with Late Brian Brobbey Leveler to Hold Table-Toppers Arsenal

It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult night for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the game with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a standing 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.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have helped the squad quickly adjust to top-tier football. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

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

Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another long stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. Sunderland launched a free-kick into the visiting box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had let in since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a team best 8 successive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure 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 class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move involving Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

A further example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.