🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Fight Back with Late Brobbey Leveler to Draw With Leaders Arsenal It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team able to slow Arsenal's championship push would be captained by their former skipper, their former captain. Replacement striker Brobbey netted an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Ballard. A Rocky Night for the Premier League Front-Runners Proved to be a rocky night for the Premier League pace-setters, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage 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. The Midfielder's Influence on His New Team The Swiss international – who departed the Arsenal's home in 2023 looking for what he described as a fresh opportunity – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this season after joining from the German club, but the veteran's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have shocked Gunners supporters. The Switzerland international revived his Gunners stint under Mikel Arteta, who did not want to see him leave. Sunderland's Strong Start Sunderland entered the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over ten matches since Hull City 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 few home supporters would have predicted before a match began given that their side had been almost a decade away from the top flight. Xhaka's Experience and Leadership The player's expertise, largely earned during his lengthy spell at the Emirates, and leadership have assisted the squad rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He appeared to thrive in the intensity of the encounter. Early Incidents and Knocks Arteta, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, playing up front after netting a brace in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from the defender as he challenged for a ball 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 border of the penalty area, but the attempt flew over the crossbar. Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before another long stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head. The Hosts Go Ahead A more painful blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. Sunderland sent a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in September's end, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a late win over the Magpies. The Gunners had kept a team best 8 consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground. Arsenal Respond The Black Cats ensured that it was a further difficult outing to the area for Arsenal, who were under pressure for periods 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 flowing move featuring Eze and the striker ended with Saka beating Roefs at his near post. The visitors pushed for a next score and Le Bris introduced three changes to his attack – he brought on Brobbey, Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the final period. The Winger Increases the Advantage Another example of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the play from right to left, and the Belgian, on the edge of the area, found enough room to fire a right-foot shot into the top corner. Late Leveler from Brobbey The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from the substitute after the delivery was headed into the penalty area. The strike was greeted by a deafening cheer. Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through Arsenal's academy – had the final say with a flying challenge at the toes of the attacker in the game's final moment.