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Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.

A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal have a seven point lead over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though Chelsea could reduce the gap to six points in the weekend's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

Sunderland's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match 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 the Toffees on Monday night had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few local fans would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their team had spent eight years outside the Premier League.

Xhaka's Experience and Guidance

Xhaka's experience, much of it earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the team rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he challenged for 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 penalty area, but the attempt soared over the bar.

Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before a further long break after a head collision between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the visiting area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.

The Gunners had kept a team best eight successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.

Arsenal Respond

Sunderland made sure that it was another uncomfortable visit to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the interval.

They needed a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

Arsenal pressed for a second goal and the coach made three changes to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

Trossard Increases the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not far away. They worked the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough room to fire a right-footed shot into the top corner.

Late Leveler from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an spectacular finish from Brobbey after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the match's last action.