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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a difficult night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed 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 Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had spent eight years away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he attacked a ball into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the box, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to follow for stunned the visitors. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had let in 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 maintained 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 another uncomfortable outing to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, created enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a flying challenge at the feet of Merino in the match's final moment.