Premier League: Sunderland 1 Arsenal 2

Arsenal’s Thierry Henry signed off from the Premier League in fairytale fashion with a late winner in a 2-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Substitute Henry – playing in what could be his last ever Premier League game as he prepares to return to Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls – scored from close range to complete an impressive Arsenal comeback.

Arsenal had seemed to be heading for defeat when James McClean put Sunderland ahead in fortunate circumstances, but substitute Aaron Ramsey equalised before Henry struck a dramatic winner.

The visitors to the Stadium of Light had been quickly into their stride from the outset, and skipper Robin van Persie wasted a decent early opening following a slip by Michael Turner but he went for precision over power and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved comfortably.

Arsenal, who made one change from the side that crushed Blackburn 7-1 with Bacary Sagna coming in for Francis Coquelin, remained on the front foot as Alex Song and Mikel Arteta dominated the midfield exchanges.

Theo Walcott came close to putting his side ahead midway through the first half when he was teed up by van Persie, but his angled shot went skidding past Mignolet’s far post.

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill tried to halt Arsenal in their tracks by ordering his team to defend more deeply, and the negative tactics worked because the visitors were unable to find the space necessary to pressure Mignolet.

It was clear that Sunderland were ready to rely on counter-attacks and the ploy nearly worked. Arsenal hearts were in mouths when Sunderland appealed for a penalty, as Per Mertesacker slipped and the ball bounced up on to his arm but referee Neil Swarbrick did not point to the spot.

Thierry Henry was sent on to regain the initiative for the visitors, but the move was to no immediate avail as Sunderland went ahead in bizarre circumstances in the 70th minute.

There seemed little danger when Mertesacker picked up possession just outside the box but then he crumpled to the ground and McClean showed no mercy, collecting the loose ball before slamming a low shot beyond Szczesny.

Mertesacker was stretchered off and Arsenal looked doomed, but then his replacement Ramsey popped up on the edge of the box to equalise five minutes later.

Ramsey’s strike was a fortunate one, as the ball ricocheted off Craig Gardner and fell kindly to the Wales captain who beat Mignolet with a shot from just outside the box that went in off the inside of both posts.

Henry, who will make the final appearance of his loan spell in the Champions League on Wednesday, had the final say when he nicked in ahead of Michael Turner to turn in Andrey Arshavin’s cross for his 229th goal in Arsenal colours.