🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brobbey Leveler to Hold Leaders Arsenal It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard. Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders It was a difficult night for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal have a seven-point advantage over City, who host the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's evening fixture. The Midfielder's Impact on His New Team The Swiss international – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he called a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him. Sunderland's Impressive Opening Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 term. 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 team had spent eight years outside the top flight. Xhaka's Experience and Guidance The player's expertise, much of it earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and leadership have assisted the squad quickly adjust to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter. First-Half Incidents and Knocks Arteta, once more without Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after netting a brace in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the home box. The forward was fit to continue. Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the attempt flew over the crossbar. Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head. The Hosts Go Ahead A tougher blow was to come next for stunned Arsenal. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal box and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the ball past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the North East in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies. The Gunners had kept a club-record eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground. The Gunners Fight Back The Black Cats made sure that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the region for Arsenal, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the break. They required a instance of class, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring Eze and the striker ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post. Arsenal pressed for a second goal and the coach made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period. Trossard Extends the Lead Another example of skill was not long in coming. They moved the play from one flank to the other, and the Belgian, just outside the box, created enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner. Dramatic Leveler from Brobbey The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the box. The strike was greeted by a huge roar. Fittingly the defender – like Xhaka another ex-Gunner, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving challenge at the toes of Merino in the match's last action.