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It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a early goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.

A Rocky Evening for the Top Flight Front-Runners

Proved to be a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and the hosts, though the Blues could cut the lead to six points in the weekend's later game.

The Midfielder's Impact on Sunderland

The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been exceptional in the newly promoted team's engine room this campaign after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Arsenal fans. The Switzerland international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to lose him.

The Home Side's Impressive Opening

Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after achieving the best start to a top-flight campaign by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against Everton on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth place, a standing few home supporters would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had been eight years outside the Premier League.

His Know-How and Leadership

The player's experience, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and leadership have helped the team rapidly adapt to top-tier football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the encounter.

First-Half Incidents and Injuries

The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in Tuesday night's three-nil European win at Slavia Prague, was caught by an elbow from the defender as he attacked a cross into the Sunderland area. Merino was able to play on.

Eberechi Eze nearly took advantage of an mistake from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the bar.

Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before a further long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.

Sunderland Go Ahead

A more painful blow was to follow for bruised the visitors. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the Arsenal box and Ballard held off Declan Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the opening strike Arsenal had let in since their previous trip to the North East in late September, when they had underlined their championship potential with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.

Arsenal had maintained a team best 8 consecutive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground.

The Gunners Fight Back

The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult visit to the region for Arsenal, who were pegged back for spells after the interval.

They needed a instance of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder won possession off his opponent and a smooth attack featuring the winger and the striker culminated in the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.

The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach made three changes to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – midway through the second half.

The Winger Extends the Advantage

Another example of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top left corner.

Late Equaliser from The Sub

The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a second goal, but could not stop an acrobatic finish from the substitute after the delivery was nodded into the penalty area. The strike was met by a huge roar.

Appropriately Ballard – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a flying challenge at the toes of Merino in the game's final moment.