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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he called a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth, a position few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been eight years outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's experience, much of it gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Isidor shot off target at the other end before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies.

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

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They needed a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

A further example of quality was not far away. Arsenal moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the box, created enough space to lash a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

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