The Black Cats Stage Comeback with Injury-Time Brobbey Leveler to Hold Leaders Arsenal
It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the team capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by Granit Xhaka, their former captain. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time leveling goal after second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal ahead following a first-half goal from Sunderland skipper Dan Ballard.
A Rocky Night for the Top Flight Front-Runners
It was a difficult night for the Premier League leaders, but the Gunners have a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on Sunday, and the hosts, though Chelsea could cut the lead to six points in Saturday's evening fixture.
Xhaka's Impact on His New Team
The Swiss international – who left the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the promoted side's midfield this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Wearside will not have surprised Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to see him leave.
Sunderland's Impressive Opening
Sunderland entered the match with no pressure after making the strongest opening to a Premier League season by a newly promoted club over 10 games since Hull in the 2008-09 season. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had lifted Sunderland up to fourth place, a position few local fans would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their side had been eight years outside the Premier League.
Xhaka's Know-How and Leadership
The player's experience, much of it earned during his seven years at Arsenal, and captaincy have assisted the team rapidly adapt to Premier League football. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.
First-Half Moments and Injuries
The Arsenal manager, once more without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Havertz, Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Martinelli, had an early concern when Merino, leading the line after netting two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, was struck by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a ball into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.
Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Enzo Le Fée, who lost the ball on the border of the penalty area, but the attempt soared over the crossbar.
Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before another lengthy break after a head collision between Le Fée and Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head.
The Hosts Go Ahead
A more painful setback was to follow for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting area and the captain resisted Rice to lash the shot past Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike they had let in since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their championship potential with a late win over Newcastle.
Arsenal had maintained a team best 8 successive shutouts in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.
The Gunners Respond
The Black Cats made sure that it was another difficult outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for periods after the interval.
They needed a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a smooth attack involving Eze and Merino culminated in the forward beating Roefs at his near post.
The visitors pushed for a second goal and Le Bris made a triple substitution to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra – in the middle of the second half.
Trossard Increases the Lead
A further example of skill was not far away. They worked the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, just outside the box, found enough space to lash a right-foot strike into the top left corner.
Late Equaliser from Brobbey
The keeper had to be alert in the last 10 minutes as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic shot from Brobbey after the ball was headed into the box. The goal was greeted by a huge roar.
Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one developed in Arsenal's academy – had the last word with a diving block at the feet of Merino in the match's last action.