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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side captain Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Evening for the Premier League Leaders

Proved to be a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's later game.

Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats entered the game with no pressure after making the best start to a Premier League campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted Sunderland up to fourth, 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.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

The player's expertise, largely gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

Early Incidents and Injuries

Arteta, once more without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in midweek's 3-0 European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the attempt flew over the bar.

Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before another long break after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.

The Hosts Take the Lead

A tougher setback was to come next for bruised the visitors. Sunderland sent a set-piece into the visiting box and the captain resisted Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had kept a club-record eight successive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

The Black Cats ensured that it was another difficult outing to the area for the London side, who were under pressure for periods after the interval.

They required a instance of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring Eze and Merino culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach made a triple substitution to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

Trossard Extends the Lead

Another example of skill was not far away. Arsenal moved the play from right to left, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, created enough room to fire a right-foot strike into the top left corner.

Dramatic Leveler from The Sub

Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a flying block at the feet of Merino in the game's final moment.