For all the bluff, bluster and blunders, there are still moments of balance that restore faith in football’s power to captivate, enthral and move. Much to his discomfort, Grant Leadbitter provided two on Saturday — a sublime goal against Arsenal followed by a uniquely private, public celebration.

In terms of character, physique and association with one club, Roy Keane compares the 22-year-old to Paul Scholes, his former Manchester United team-mate. “You need lads like him at your club — good, honest, who want to train and do well every day.” the Sunderland manager said.

Leadbitter is a Sunderland supporter, as was Brian, his father, who died in May. He is a taciturn figure, unhappy with attention, but his 86th-minute strike into the top-right corner, two minutes after coming on as a substitute, invited it. Leadbitter sprinted towards the dugouts, fell to his knees and pressed his lips to the turf.

“The people who know me know why I kissed that area of the ground,” he said. “My dad’s ashes were buried there. It’s the exact spot and it was always my intention to do something like that when I scored my first goal here. It happened in the summer. He was my dad, so he was obviously a big supporter of mine and I just want to leave it at that. Saturday was not just about me, it was about the team. We got the point and that’s what matters for Sunderland.”

It was enough to still the chatter about Arsenal’s title credentials or the interminable debate about video replays stirred by a disallowed goal by Robin van Persie. Arsène Wenger conceded that, while his “players wanted it, we just lacked a little bit of sharpness”.

Having lost to Hull City and Fulham and now drawn on Wearside, there will be questions about Arsenal’s durability, although Cesc Fàbregas ensured defeat was avoided when he leapt to meet Van Persie’s corner in the 93rd minute.

Sunderland (4-1-4-1): C Gordon 7 — P Chimbonda 7, A Ferdinand 7, D Collins 7, G McCartney 7 — D Yorke 7 (sub: G Leadbitter, 84min) — S Malbranque 6 (sub: M Chopra, 86), D Whitehead 5, K Richardson 6, A Reid 6 — D Cissé 6 (sub: D Murphy, 88). Substitutes not used: P Bardsley, E-H Diouf, D Healy, M Fulop. Booked: Whitehead, Richardson, Yorke.

Arsenal (4-3-2-1): M Almunia 7 — B Sagna 6, K Touré 6, W Gallas 6, G Clichy 6 — A Song 6 (sub: C Vela, 87), F Fàbregas 7, Denilson 6 (sub: S Nasri, 74) — T Walcott 4 (sub: N Bendtner, 66 5), R van Persie 6 — E Adebayor 5. Substitutes not used: L Fabianski, M Silvestre, J Djourou. Booked: Touré, Song, Clichy, Bendtner.