🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Hold Leaders Arsenal Maybe it shouldn't have been such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey scored an injury-time leveling goal after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Ballard. Turbulent Night for the Premier League Front-Runners Proved to be a rocky match for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven point lead over Manchester City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's later game. The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a new challenge – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal 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 entered the game with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a Premier League season 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 position not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had spent almost a decade away from the Premier League. Xhaka's Experience and Leadership Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his lengthy spell at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team quickly adjust to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the encounter. Early Moments and Injuries The Arsenal manager, again without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Mikel Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the home box. Merino was able to play on. Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an mistake from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the crossbar. Wilson Isidor shot off target at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head. The Hosts Take the Lead A tougher blow was to come next for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal box and the captain held off Declan Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their last visit to the North East in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies. Arsenal had maintained a club-record eight consecutive shutouts in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park. Arsenal Fight Back Sunderland ensured that it was a further uncomfortable outing to the region for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the break. They required a moment of quality, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring Eze and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post. Arsenal pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he sent on Brobbey, Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the second half. Trossard Increases the Lead Another moment of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal worked the ball from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough room to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner. Late Equaliser from Brobbey Raya had to be sharp in the final stages as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer. Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the game's last action.