🔗 Share this article

It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after late strikes from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky match for the English top division pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead 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 Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he called 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 Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after making the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted them up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade outside the Premier League.

His Experience and Guidance

The player's experience, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after scoring two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before another long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. Sunderland sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

Arsenal had maintained a club-record 8 successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

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

They needed a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving the winger and Merino culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a second goal and the coach made three changes to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Extends the Lead

A further moment of quality was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met 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 diving challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.