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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult night for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form 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

Sunderland entered the game with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth, a standing few local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade away from the Premier League.

His Experience and Leadership

The player's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Moments and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the box, but the shot flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further long stoppage after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their last visit 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 club-record eight successive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

Sunderland made sure that it was a further difficult visit to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for periods after the break.

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

The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

A further example of skill was not long in coming. They moved the ball from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, created enough space to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying block at the feet of Merino in the match's last action.