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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after late strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners

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

The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team

The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth, a standing few home supporters would have predicted 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 experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the team quickly adjust to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in midweek's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the shot soared over the crossbar.

Isidor fired wide at the other end before another long break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting box and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had let in since their last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their title credentials with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park.

The Gunners Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was another uncomfortable outing to the region for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break.

They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced three changes to his offense – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Increases the Lead

Another moment of quality was not far away. They moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the area, found enough room to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – 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.