Sunderland Fight Back with Injury-Time Brobbey Leveler to Draw With Table-Toppers Arsenal

It perhaps wasn't 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 stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Premier League Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult night for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point lead over City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the game with no pressure 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 Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent eight years outside the top flight.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, largely gained during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad quickly adjust to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in midweek's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the bar.

Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further long stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to follow for stunned the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting box and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record 8 successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who were pegged back for periods after the break.

They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a flowing move involving Eze and the striker ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and Le Bris made three changes to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Increases the Lead

Another example of skill was not long in coming. They worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough space to fire a right-footed strike 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 was unable to prevent an spectacular shot from the substitute after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.