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

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal have a seven-point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in last year 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 form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had spent almost a decade away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

The player's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

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

Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before another long stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a club-record 8 successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Extends the Lead

Another moment of skill was not long in coming. They worked the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough space to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.