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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a rocky match for the English top division leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven point lead over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

Sunderland went into the match with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent eight years outside the top flight.

His Experience and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier soccer. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an arm from the defender as he attacked a ball into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.

Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the bar.

Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before a further long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

Sunderland Take the Lead

A more painful setback was to follow for stunned the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard held off Rice to lash the ball past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they 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 the Magpies.

The Gunners had kept a club-record eight consecutive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground.

Arsenal Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the area for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the break.

They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pushed for a next score and the coach made three changes to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Increases the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not long in coming. They worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough space to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving challenge at the feet of Merino in the match's final moment.