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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, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

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

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home 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 the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had been eight years away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's experience, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

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

Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot 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 late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a team best eight successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Fight Back

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

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 culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Lead

Another moment of quality was not far away. They moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of the attacker in the match's last action.