The Black Cats Fight Back with Injury-Time Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Draw With Leaders Arsenal

Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Leaders

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade outside the top flight.

His Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another long break after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful blow was to follow for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had kept a team best eight successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Respond

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

They required a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and Merino culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

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

Trossard Increases the Advantage

A further example of skill was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the ball from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the box, found enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.