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It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven point advantage 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 Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from the German club, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the game with no pressure after making the best start to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth place, a position not many local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

Xhaka's Experience and Leadership

Xhaka's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the other end before another long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A tougher blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team sent a set-piece into the visiting box and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

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

Arsenal Respond

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further difficult visit to the region for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Extends the Lead

A further example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the area, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

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

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving challenge at the feet of the attacker in the match's final moment.