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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a rocky night for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after joining from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent eight years away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's expertise, largely gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad quickly adjust to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before another long 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 blow was to follow for stunned the visitors. Sunderland sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had kept a club-record 8 consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult visit to the region for the London side, who were pegged back for periods after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving the winger and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough space to lash a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of Merino in the game's last action.