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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky night for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal have a seven point lead over City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade away from the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership

Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

Early Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in midweek's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Wilson Isidor fired off target at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for stunned the visitors. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the visiting box and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip 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 team best 8 successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the break.

They needed a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and Le Bris introduced three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.