🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Late Brobbey Leveler to Hold Leaders Arsenal Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time equaliser 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 Ballard. A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders It was a rocky night for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over City, who host Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's evening fixture. Xhaka's Influence on His New Team The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who did not want to lose him. Sunderland's Strong Start Sunderland entered the game with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a standing not many home supporters would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent eight years away from the Premier League. His Know-How and Leadership The player's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest. Early Incidents and Knocks The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for a ball into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on. Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar. Isidor fired wide at the other end before another long stoppage after a head collision between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage. The Hosts Go Ahead A tougher setback was to follow for bruised Arsenal. Sunderland launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and Ballard held off Declan Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their last visit to the North East in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle. The Gunners had maintained a team best eight consecutive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park. The Gunners Fight Back The Black Cats made sure that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the interval. They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving the winger and Merino culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed 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 final period. The Winger Increases the Advantage A further example of skill was not long in coming. They moved the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the box, created enough space to fire a right-foot shot into the top left corner. Late Leveler from The Sub The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar. Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of Merino in the match's final moment.