Sunderland scrambled clear of the bottom three but could well be left to reflect on a win that got away as a ponderous Arsenal had Petr Cech to thank for their point.
Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce said Gunners fans should lay off his old adversary Arsene Wenger in the build up to the game, but it is indifferent performances such as this which frustrate critics of the long-serving Frenchman.
Having started well they soon faded and, come full-time, were clinging to the point that takes them five clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.
Vito Manonne made a terrific save from Alexis Sanchez's free-kick as Arsenal came within inches of scoring the opener
Petr Cech (left) made a terrific double save from Defoe and then Yann M'Vila as the home side started the second half on top
The Czech Republic international was in sensational form and helped earn the Gunners a point with some big saves
Sunderland had a strong penalty appeal turned down by Mike Dean after Jermain Defoe's effort struck Per Mertesacker's hand
Substitute Danny Welbeck (centre) fires a shot at goal in the dying minutes but Sunderland got men in front of the effort
For Sunderland, the point that lifts them above Norwich may have seemed invaluable at the end of this entertaining stalemate, but two more were there for the taking.
They, like Arsenal, did have goalkeeper Vito Mannone to thank for a string of saves, but it was Cech who was forced to make the more desperate stops.
Not that the opening exchanges suggested the game would play out in that manner.
First to threaten was Alex Iwobi as his feet were too quick for a huddle of red-and-white shirts on the edge of the area but, having stolen a yard for the shot, he smashed inches wide of the post with Mannone beaten.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper was drawn into action soon after when Per Mertesacker connected with Mesut Ozil’s corner and he was equal to the German’s powerful header.
It was all Arsenal and a nervy Sunderland were fortunate to emerge from the opening quarter of an hour with the scores still level.
However, a moment of indecision at the other end almost presented the hosts a surprise lead when Wahbi Khazri robbed a dithering Aaron Ramsey and saw a 20-yard curler deflected narrowly wide off Mertesacker.
From the resulting corner Lee Cattermole recycled the scraps just outside the area and sent a vicious half-volley flying past Cech’s upright.
Wahbi Khazri (centre) broke free of the Arsenal midfield but saw his low curling effort deflected wide of the goal in the first half
Aaron Ramsey (centre) is closed down by Lee Cattermole and Defoe as Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges
Jack Wilshere (centre) made his long-awaited return from injury as he replaced Mesut Ozil in the second half
The Black Cats came even closer on 22 minutes when Patrick van Aanholt sized a 25-yard free-kick and was unlucky to see his dipping effort clip the angle of post and bar.
There was certainly no shortage of incident and Mannone had to quickly readjust his feet before flopping low to smother Ozil’s deflected drive on the half-hour mark.
The Italian was proving an impassable presence and Alexis Sanchez was next to be frustrated as his measured free-kick beat the wall only for Mannone to dive to the base of his post and fist clear. Iwobi pounced on the rebound but DeAndre Yedlin read his intention and recovered to block on the line.
Sunderland again survived as Ozil’s corner bounced around the six-yard box and Sanchez flashed a header on goal only for Yedlin to divert clear once more.
Laurent Koscielny (right) looks to shield the ball away from Defoe, who was causing Arsenal problems with his running
Alex Iwobi (right) grapples with Sunderland's DeAndre Yedlin as the two youngsters went head-to-head in an exciting encounter
Arsene Wenger (left) and Sam Allardyce shake hands before the game at the Stadium of Light got under way
Patrick van Aanholt (left) and Sanchez compete for the ball at the Stadium of Light with both sides needing a vital three points
Then came a pair of penalty appeals at either end. First, Jermain Defoe hammered a shot into the arm of Mertesacker before Yedlin blocked with his hand from an Iwobi strike.
Mike Dean wasn’t interested in either and replays suggested he was right on both counts given the proximity of the alleged offender to the strikers.
That the first half expired goalless owed as much to wayward finishing as it did fine goalkeeping, but Cech was the only reason Sunderland did not lead after they made a blistering start to the second period.
First he repelled a stinging Defoe volley after the forward had been sprung clear by Jan Kirchhoff and Cech was still scrambling to his feet when he beat away M’Vila’s follow-up.
Wilshere was named in the squad for the first time this season and started on the bench for the Gunners
Olivier Giroud (centre) endured another frustrating afternoon as his run of 14 games without a goal goes on
Wilshere looked bright after coming on as he aims to earn some much-needed game time before the end of the season
Khazri then took aim for the bottom corner from 20 yards having darted infield from the left but Cech leapt low and gloved to safety.
The Czech Republic netminder was beaten on 64 minutes when Defoe lifted a delicate lob above the stranded goalie only for the ball to bounce agonisingly wide.
Wenger responded to his side’s malaise by introducing Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck. The latter thought he had found the breakthrough goal when spinning and smashing low on target from 20 yards but again Mannone stood strong to stop and hold.
Arsenal rallied late on - in part inspired by the return of Jack Wilshere after 11 months out with a broken leg - but Sanchez was denied by the palms of Mannone as he drilled towards the bottom corner on 87 minutes.
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