Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal

	Patrick Vieira balloons his spot kick (CliveMason/Allsport)

And for that reason Arsene Wenger is still reaching for the Premiership summit rather than sitting there in splendid isolation. For Vieira, Sunderland's Stadium of Light will forever remain a place of forbidding darkness.

A year ago, in the newly-constructed arena where Peter Reid demands that opponents are subjected to a limitless test of mind and muscle, Vieira collected another red card in a moment of blazing tempers and flying boots.

On Saturday the demand was for the Frenchman to reveal the opposing side of his complex nature, to be calm and collected. Again he failed the examination. His right boot, so compelling in the tackle, ballooned a penalty opportunity recklessly wide in the 72nd minute and condemned Arsenal to more misery on Wearside.

It is, amazingly, 35 years since they last collected a League victory in these parts and Nwankwo Kanu, after a couple of significant contributions worthy of winning the match, must be wondering why.

There was little dispute that Arsenal had the extra class to dominate much of the early contest, but luck and opportunity hardly ran their way until an elementary defensive error granted them a goal in the 40th minute.

Kanu, often a mix of the artist and the circus entertainer, was allowed to express every element of his talents by the blundering of Stanislav Varga.

Sylvain Wiltord's cleverly-delayed pass carried enough damaging intent, but it was Varga's decision to stand motionless appealing for off-side that allowed Kanu to score. Even then the Nigerian couldn't resist a few tricks before, after one last juggling act, he slammed the ball into the net.

Sunderland, at that point, looked destined for another defeat and the restless folks on the terraces were preparing to focus more venom on manager Reid. He, though, had other ideas and the way he prepared his side for the second half produced a remarkable change.

They were more abrasive, particularly Gavin McCann, and Arsenal's superiority was blown away to such a degree that in the 54th minute Stefan Schwarz was able to gather his wits and deliver a spectacular equaliser.

Ray Parlour's mistake provided the opportunity, but the Swede, who spent a season at Highbury, revelled in the glory as his lob dropped beyond the scrambling Richard Wright, struck a post and found the net.

Within a matter of seconds, Kevin Phillips, mostly starved of ammunition as Sunderland's lone striker, might have plundered victory. Instead he was an agonised figure as goalkeeper Wright demonstrated the reflexes that make him a long-term candidate for the England job.

Suddenly, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry were released from the bench to try to rescue a cause that might have been already won if Vieira hadn't missed his penalty.

Kanu took centre stage again to bring panic to Sunderland's defensive ranks. But Arsenal's formidable forwards were over-shadowed in injury-time as controversy and condemnation surrounded referee Mike Reid.

Bravely, some might say foolishly, he ruled Julio Arca's spectacular header offside and provoked the rage of the stadium. He didn't escape the wrath of Sunderland's players either, as they surrounded him in a collective ambush at the final whistle.

Reid needed a security escort as he was led off the pitch - but Arsenal will no doubt be troubled far more as they carry out the inquest.