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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

It was a difficult match for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a position few local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their team had spent eight years outside the Premier League.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's expertise, largely gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the box, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they 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 the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a team best 8 successive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells 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 featuring Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

A further moment of quality was not long in coming. They moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the area, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Dramatic Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the game's last action.