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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a position few local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's experience, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was able to play on.

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further lengthy 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 tougher blow was to follow for stunned the visitors. Sunderland launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and Ballard resisted Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had kept a team best eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was another difficult visit to the area for the London side, who were under pressure for spells after the break.

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

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

Another moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

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

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the match's final moment.