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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats 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 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent eight years outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the squad quickly adjust to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

Early Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in midweek's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

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

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the other end before another lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to follow for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

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

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult outing to the area for the London side, who were under pressure for spells after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move featuring the winger and Merino culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

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

Trossard Increases the Advantage

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

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular shot from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a flying challenge at the toes of Merino in the game's last action.