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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a difficult night for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding 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 shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

Xhaka's experience, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the shot flew over the bar.

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

The Hosts Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to come next for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record 8 consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

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

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

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris made three changes to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Extends the Lead

Another moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, created enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a flying challenge at the feet of Merino in the game's final moment.