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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the game with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club 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 boosted them up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

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

Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target 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 bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and Ballard held off Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded 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 Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record eight successive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was another difficult visit to the area for the London side, who were under pressure for periods after the break.

They needed a moment 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 ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a second goal and the coach made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

A further example of quality was not far away. They worked the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular shot from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The goal was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of Merino in the game's last action.