🔗 Share this article

It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a difficult match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the game with no pressure after making the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a standing few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been eight years outside the top flight.

His Experience and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, much of it gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the team quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Isidor shot off target at the other end before a further long stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain held off Declan Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal 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 the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record eight consecutive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was another uncomfortable outing to the region for the London side, who were pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach made three changes to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Increases the Lead

Another moment of quality was not far away. They moved the ball from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular finish from the substitute after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving challenge at the feet of Merino in the match's final moment.