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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven point advantage over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 seeking what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth place, a position not many local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had been eight years outside the Premier League.

His Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, largely gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and leadership have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain held off Declan Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had let in since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

Sunderland ensured that it was another uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who were pegged back for spells after the interval.

They required a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack featuring the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and Le Bris introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

A further moment of quality was not far away. They worked the ball from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, created enough space to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.