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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders

It was a difficult night for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats entered the game with nothing to lose after making the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth place, a position few home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their team had been almost a decade away from the Premier League.

Xhaka's Know-How and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the bar.

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

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the Arsenal box and the captain resisted Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was cleared. 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 the Magpies.

Arsenal had kept a team best eight successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for periods after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made three changes to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Extends the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not long in coming. They worked the ball from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the box, created enough room to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a flying block at the feet of the attacker in the game's last action.