🔗 Share this article Sunderland Fight Back with Late Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Hold Leaders Arsenal It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Ballard. Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners It was a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's later game. Xhaka's Influence on His New Team Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him. The Home Side's Strong Start The Black Cats went into the game with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had been eight years away from the Premier League. His Know-How and Guidance Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest. First-Half Moments and Injuries The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after scoring two goals in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue. Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar. Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage. The Hosts Take the Lead A more painful blow was to follow for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain resisted Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had let in since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies. Arsenal had maintained a team best eight consecutive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground. The Gunners Respond The Black Cats ensured that it was another difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the interval. They needed a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move involving the winger and the striker ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half. The Winger Extends the Lead Another moment of skill was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, created enough room to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner. Dramatic Leveler from The Sub The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a deafening cheer. Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the game's last action.