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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

It was a rocky match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent eight years away from the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, much of it gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in midweek's three-nil European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue.

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

Isidor fired off target at the other end before a further long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A more painful blow was to follow for stunned the visitors. Sunderland launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain held off Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was a further difficult visit to the region for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They needed a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving the winger and the striker culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

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

Trossard Extends the Advantage

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

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya 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 the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of Merino in the game's final moment.