It perhaps wasn't so shocking that the side capable of halting Arsenal's title charge would be captained by their former skipper, an ex-Gunner. Replacement striker Brian Brobbey scored an stoppage-time equaliser after second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Trossard had put the visitors in the lead following a first-half goal from Sunderland captain Ballard.
It was a difficult match for the Premier League pace-setters, but Arsenal maintain a seven point advantage over Manchester City, who are at home the Reds on the weekend, and Sunderland, though the Blues could cut the lead to six in the weekend's evening fixture.
Xhaka – who departed the Emirates Stadium in last year looking for what he called a new challenge – has been outstanding in the newly promoted team's midfield this campaign after signing from Bayer Leverkusen, but the 33-year-old's performances on Sunderland's home turf will not have surprised Gunners fans. The Swiss international revived his Gunners stint under Arteta, who did not want to see him leave.
Sunderland went into the game with no pressure after achieving the best start to a top-flight season by a promoted side over ten matches since Hull in the 2008/09 term. A deflected strike from the midfielder against the Toffees on earlier in the week had boosted them up to fourth place, a position not many home supporters would have predicted before a ball was kicked given that their side had spent eight years outside the Premier League.
The player's expertise, largely earned during his seven years at the Emirates, and captaincy have assisted the team rapidly adapt to Premier League soccer. He seemed to revel in the intensity of the contest.
The Arsenal manager, again without Jesus, Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli, had an initial worry when Merino, playing up front after netting two goals in Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions League win at Prague, was caught by an elbow from the defender as he challenged for a ball into the home box. The forward was fit to continue.
Eze nearly cashed in of an error from Le Fée, who was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the shot soared over the crossbar.
Wilson Isidor shot wide at the other end before a further lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads between Le Fée and Timber, who had to carry on with a head bandage.
A tougher blow was to come next for bruised the visitors. The home team launched a free-kick into the Arsenal area and the captain resisted Declan Rice to drive the shot past David Raya after it was cleared. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded since their previous trip to the north-east in late September, when they had demonstrated their title credentials with a last-gasp win over Newcastle.
The Gunners had kept a team best 8 consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since Woltemade's scored against them at St James' Park.
The Black Cats ensured that it was another difficult outing to the area for Arsenal, who were under pressure for periods after the interval.
They required a moment of class, and it came in the 54th minute. The midfielder took the ball off his opponent and a flowing move featuring Eze and Merino ended with the forward beating Robin Roefs at his near post.
The visitors pressed for a second goal and the coach introduced three changes to his offense – he brought on Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Adingra – in the middle of the final period.
Another moment of quality was not long in coming. Arsenal moved the play from one flank to the other, and Trossard, on the edge of the area, found enough room to lash a right-footed strike into the top corner.
The keeper had to be alert in the final stages as Sunderland pushed for a second goal, but could not stop an spectacular shot from Brobbey after the ball was nodded into the box. The goal was greeted by a deafening cheer.
Fittingly the defender – similar to his teammate a former Arsenal player, this one coming through the youth system – had the final say with a diving block at the feet of the attacker in the game's final moment.
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