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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 Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this season after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent eight years away from the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he attacked a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor fired wide at the other end before another long break after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard resisted Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a team best eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving the winger and Merino culminated in 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 the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

Trossard Increases the Lead

A further example of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, found enough room to fire a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a flying block at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.