After 812 minutes and eight successive matches without conceding in all competitions, Arsenal's defence was finally breached at the Stadium of Light.
Hosts Sunderland finally showed their rivals how to score against the Gunners - and did so twice.
While the 2-2 draw may have put a small dent in Arsenal's Premier League title charge, their four-point lead at the top of the table has undoubtedly been built on a watertight defence.
The eight clean sheets in a row equalled their own club record set back in 1903 - no mean feat when you consider the calibre of some of their predecessors. It also matched the mark of Preston's 1889 side, and Liverpool in 1920, for most matches won in a row without conceding by an English club.
As Mikel Arteta's men prepare to host Tottenham on Sunday, many believe a first league title since 2003-04 is there for the taking.
