🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brian Brobbey Leveler to Hold Leaders Arsenal Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, an ex-Gunner. The substitute Brobbey scored an injury-time equaliser after late goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Ballard. A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Leaders It was a rocky match for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven point advantage over City, who host 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 The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after joining from the German club, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave. Sunderland's Impressive Opening The Black Cats entered the game with no pressure after achieving the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on Monday night had lifted them up to fourth place, a standing few home supporters would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been eight years outside the top flight. His Experience and Leadership The player's experience, largely gained during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the squad quickly adjust to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter. First-Half Incidents and Knocks The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was fit to continue. Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the bar. Isidor shot wide at the other end before another lengthy break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head. The Hosts Take the Lead A tougher setback was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the visiting box and the captain held off Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies. The Gunners had kept a club-record eight successive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park. Arsenal Fight Back Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves pegged back for spells after the break. They needed a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post. The visitors pushed for a next score and Le Bris made three changes to his attack – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – midway through the second half. Trossard Increases the Advantage Another moment of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the box, created enough room to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner. Late Equaliser from The Sub Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the box. The strike was met by a huge roar. Fittingly Ballard – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a flying block at the toes of the attacker in the game's last action.