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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side captain Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's engine room this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

The player's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was caught by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Isidor fired off target at the other end before another lengthy break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher setback was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal area and the captain held off Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

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

Arsenal Fight Back

Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the interval.

They needed a moment of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack featuring Eze and Merino culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

A further example of quality was not far away. Arsenal moved the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a flying challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's final moment.