Sunderland Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Draw With Leaders Arsenal

It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard.

Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders

It was a difficult match for the English top division leaders, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six in Saturday's evening fixture.

The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland

Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year seeking what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.

The Home Side's Strong Start

The Black Cats went into the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing not many home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had spent almost a decade away from the top flight.

His Experience and Leadership

The player's experience, much of it earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.

First-Half Moments and Knocks

Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, leading the line after scoring a brace in midweek's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. Merino was fit to continue.

Eze almost cashed in of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the shot flew over the crossbar.

Wilson Isidor shot wide at the other end before a further long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage.

The Hosts Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the first goal they had let in since their last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies.

The Gunners had maintained a team best 8 consecutive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the region for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the interval.

They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a flowing move involving Eze and the striker ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

Another moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal moved the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough space to fire a right-foot strike into the top corner.

Late Equaliser from Brobbey

Raya had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The strike was met by a deafening cheer.

Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.