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Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Leaders

It was a rocky night for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners maintain a seven point lead over Manchester City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after making the best start to a top-flight season by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted them up to fourth, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Know-How and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have helped the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

The Arsenal manager, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue.

Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A tougher setback was to follow for stunned Arsenal. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the visiting box and Ballard held off Rice to lash the ball past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in 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 Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record eight consecutive shutouts in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Fight Back

Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult visit to the area for the London side, who were pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move involving the winger and the striker culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a next score and the coach made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

A further example of skill was not far away. They worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top left corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of Merino in the game's last action.