🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Comeback with Late Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Hold Table-Toppers Arsenal It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard. Turbulent Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners It was a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven-point lead over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in Saturday's later game. Xhaka's Impact on His New Team Xhaka – who left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 looking for what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this season after signing from the German club, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave. Sunderland's Impressive Opening Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after making the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth place, a position few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their side had spent almost a decade outside the top flight. Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership The player's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have helped the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest. First-Half Incidents and Knocks Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Mikel Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in midweek's 3-0 European win at Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the home box. Merino was fit to continue. Eze nearly took advantage of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the attempt flew over the bar. Wilson Isidor shot wide at the opposite side before another lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head. Sunderland Take the Lead A tougher blow was to follow for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Rice to lash the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal they had let in since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle. Arsenal had maintained a team best eight successive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground. The Gunners Fight Back The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult visit to the area for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break. They needed a instance of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off his opponent and a flowing move featuring Eze and Merino culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period. The Winger Increases the Advantage A further example of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner. Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular finish from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was met by a huge roar. Appropriately Ballard – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's last action.