🔗 Share this article Sunderland Fight Back with Late Brobbey Leveler to Draw With Table-Toppers Arsenal It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time equaliser after late goals from Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors ahead following a early goal from the home side skipper Dan Ballard. A Rocky Evening for the Premier League Front-Runners Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal maintain a seven-point lead over City, who are at home Liverpool on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's later game. Xhaka's Impact on Sunderland The Swiss international – who left the Arsenal's home in last year seeking what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the promoted side's engine room this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave. The Home Side's Impressive Opening Sunderland went into the match with nothing to lose after achieving the best start to a Premier League campaign by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull City in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from Xhaka against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth, a position few home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their team had spent eight years away from the Premier League. His Experience and Leadership Xhaka's expertise, largely gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to top-tier soccer. He seemed to revel in the physicality of the encounter. Early Incidents and Knocks Arteta, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an elbow from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the home box. Merino was fit to continue. Eberechi Eze almost cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the border of the box, but the attempt soared over the bar. Wilson Isidor fired off target at the opposite side before another lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a bandaged head. Sunderland Take the Lead A more painful setback was to follow for bruised the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting area and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike they had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over the Magpies. Arsenal had kept a club-record eight consecutive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's goal against them at Newcastle's ground. The Gunners Fight Back Sunderland made sure that it was another difficult outing to the region for Arsenal, who were under pressure for spells after the interval. They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move featuring the winger and the striker ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post. The visitors pushed for a next score and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on the substitute, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half. Trossard Extends the Lead A further example of skill was not far away. Arsenal worked the play from right to left, and the Belgian, just outside the area, created enough space to fire a right-footed strike into the top corner. Late Leveler from The Sub The keeper had to be sharp in the last 10 minutes as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular shot from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer. Appropriately the defender – like Xhaka a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a flying challenge at the feet of Merino in the game's last action.