The Black Cats Fight Back with Late Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Hold Table-Toppers Arsenal

Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders

It was a rocky match for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

Early Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in midweek's three-nil European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. Merino was able to play on.

Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before a further lengthy break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A tougher blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 successive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino 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 offense – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period.

The Winger Extends the Lead

Another example of skill was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough room to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the match's last action.