🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brian Brobbey Equaliser to Hold Table-Toppers Arsenal Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard. A Rocky Night for the Premier League Front-Runners Proved to be a rocky night for the English top division pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in Saturday's later game. The Midfielder's Influence on Sunderland Xhaka – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after signing from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave. The Home Side's Strong Start Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the strongest opening to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A deflected strike from Xhaka against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing not many local fans would have envisaged before a match began given that their team had been eight years away from the Premier League. Xhaka's Experience and Guidance Xhaka's experience, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the team rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter. First-Half Moments and Injuries The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on. Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the shot flew over the crossbar. Isidor fired wide at the other end before a further long stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage. Sunderland Go Ahead A tougher setback was to follow for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a set-piece into the Arsenal area and Ballard resisted Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had let in since their last visit to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies. The Gunners had kept a team best eight successive clean sheets in every match since Woltemade's goal against them at St James' Park. Arsenal Fight Back Sunderland ensured that it was a further uncomfortable visit to the region for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the interval. They needed a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed for a next score and the coach introduced three changes to his offense – he sent on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half. The Winger Increases the Advantage Another moment of skill was not long in coming. They moved the play from right to left, and Trossard, just outside the box, created enough room to lash a right-foot shot into the top left corner. Dramatic Equaliser from Brobbey The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was met by a deafening cheer. Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one developed in the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's final moment.