🔗 Share this article Sunderland Fight Back with Late Brobbey Leveler to Hold Leaders Arsenal It perhaps wasn't such a surprise that the side capable of halting Arsenal's championship push would be led by their former skipper, their former captain. The substitute Brobbey netted an injury-time leveling goal after second-half strikes from Saka and Trossard had given Arsenal in the lead following a early goal from the home side skipper Ballard. Turbulent Night for the Premier League Leaders Proved to be a difficult night 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 evening fixture. The Midfielder's Influence 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 promoted side's midfield this season after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the veteran's form on Wearside will not have shocked Arsenal supporters. The Swiss international turned his Arsenal career around under Mikel Arteta, who was reluctant to lose him. The Home Side's Impressive Opening The Black Cats entered the match with nothing to lose after making the best start to a Premier League season by a promoted side over 10 games since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A redirected effort from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted Sunderland up to fourth, a position not many home supporters would have envisaged before a ball was kicked given that their team had been eight years away from the top flight. His Experience and Guidance The player's experience, much of it gained during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have helped the team rapidly adapt to Premier League football. He appeared to thrive in the physicality of the contest. First-Half Incidents and Knocks Arteta, again without Gabriel Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after scoring a brace in midweek's three-nil Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an arm from Ballard as he attacked a cross into the home box. The forward was able to play on. Eberechi Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who lost the ball on the edge of the box, but the attempt soared over the crossbar. Wilson Isidor shot off target at the opposite side before another long break after a clash of heads between the midfielder and Jurriën Timber, who had to continue with a bandaged head. Sunderland Take the Lead A more painful blow was to follow for stunned the visitors. The home team sent a free-kick into the visiting area and Ballard held off Rice to drive the ball past David Raya after it was knocked out. It was the opening strike Arsenal had conceded since their last visit to the north-east in September's end, when they had underlined their championship potential with a late win over the Magpies. Arsenal had maintained a club-record eight successive clean sheets in every match since Nick Woltemade's scored against them at Newcastle's ground. Arsenal Respond Sunderland made sure that it was another uncomfortable outing to the area for the London side, who found themselves under pressure for spells after the interval. They needed a moment of quality, and it arrived in the 54th minute. Rice took the ball off Le Fée and a smooth attack featuring Eze and the striker ended with Saka beating Robin Roefs at his near post. Arsenal pushed for a next score and the coach introduced a triple substitution to his attack – he sent on the substitute, Talbi and Adingra – midway through the final period. Trossard Extends the Advantage A further moment of quality was not far away. Arsenal worked the ball from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, found enough space to lash a right-footed shot into the top left corner. Dramatic Leveler from The Sub The keeper had to be sharp in the final stages as the hosts pressed for a equalizer, but was unable to prevent an acrobatic finish from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the penalty area. The goal was met by a huge roar. Appropriately the defender – similar to his teammate another ex-Gunner, this one coming through the youth system – had the last word with a diving block at the toes of the attacker in the match's final moment.