The 27-year-old France international, who is on loan from Marseille, was taken to Market Street police station in Newcastle, where he was questioned before being released on bail.
His arrest follows an alleged argument with a woman in Newcastle near the Diamonds lap-dancing club, in Grey Street, Newcastle just after 3am.
Cisse grabbed the woman, who has not been named, by the throat, according to a report in the Daily Mirror.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "A 27-year-old man was arrested for an assault at 3am in Grey Street.
"He was questioned regarding the assault before being bailed pending further inquiries."
A spokesman for the player last night denied the arrest or that Cisse had assaulted anyone. Sunderland have refused to comment today.
