🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Hold Table-Toppers Arsenal It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after late strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard. Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders It was a rocky match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's evening fixture. Xhaka's Influence on His New Team Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave. The Home Side's Impressive Opening The Black Cats entered 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 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent almost a decade outside the Premier League. Xhaka's Experience and Leadership Xhaka's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest. Early Incidents and Injuries The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was able to play on. Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the shot flew over the bar. Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further lengthy break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head. Sunderland Take the Lead A tougher blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies. The Gunners had kept a club-record 8 consecutive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground. The Gunners Fight Back The Black Cats made sure that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break. They needed a instance 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 culminated in Saka beating Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach made three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half. Trossard Increases the Lead A further moment of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the area, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top left corner. Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer. Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the game's final moment.