🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Late Brian Brobbey Leveler to Hold Leaders Arsenal 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 Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after late strikes from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Ballard. Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Leaders It was a difficult night for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's evening fixture. The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him. The Home Side's Impressive Opening The Black Cats went into the match with no pressure after achieving the best start to a top-flight season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth place, a position not many local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their team had spent almost a decade away from the top flight. His Know-How and Leadership The player's expertise, largely gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter. First-Half Moments and Injuries The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, 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 European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was able to play on. Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the crossbar. Wilson Isidor fired wide at the opposite side before another long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage. Sunderland Go Ahead A tougher blow was to come next for stunned Arsenal. Sunderland launched a set-piece into the Arsenal area and Ballard held off Declan Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle. The Gunners had maintained a club-record 8 successive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park. The Gunners Fight Back Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the area for Arsenal, who were under pressure for spells after the break. They required a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move involving Eze and the striker culminated in Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach introduced three changes to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the final period. Trossard Extends the Lead A further example of skill was not far away. They moved the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top corner. Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey Raya had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar. Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the match's last action.