🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Late Brobbey Leveler to Draw With Table-Toppers Arsenal Maybe it shouldn't have been so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard. Turbulent Evening for the Premier League Leaders Proved to be a difficult night for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners maintain a seven point lead over City, who host the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could reduce the gap to six in the weekend's later game. Xhaka's Influence on Sunderland The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in last year looking for what he called a new challenge – has been exceptional in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him. The Home Side's Strong Start The Black Cats went into the game with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a top-flight campaign by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull City in the 2008-09 term. A redirected effort from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few local fans would have predicted before a match began given that their team had been almost a decade outside the Premier League. Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership The player's experience, largely gained during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the team rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the contest. First-Half Moments and Knocks Arteta, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, 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 Champions League win at Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a cross into the Sunderland area. The forward was fit to continue. Eze almost took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the bar. Wilson Isidor fired off target at the other end before a further long break after a head collision between the midfielder and Timber, who had to continue with a head bandage. The Hosts Take the Lead A tougher blow was to come next for bruised Arsenal. The home team launched a set-piece into the Arsenal area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their title credentials with a last-gasp win over the Magpies. Arsenal had kept a team best 8 successive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground. Arsenal Fight Back Sunderland ensured that it was a further difficult visit to the region for Arsenal, who were pegged back for periods after the interval. They required a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice won possession off Le Fée and a flowing move involving the winger and Merino ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post. The visitors pressed for a second goal and Le Bris introduced three changes to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period. Trossard Increases the Advantage Another example of skill was not long in coming. They moved the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the area, created enough room to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner. Late Leveler from Brobbey Raya had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pushed for a equalizer, but could not stop an spectacular shot from the substitute after the ball was headed into the penalty area. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer. Fittingly Ballard – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's final moment.