Nicklas Bendtner rescued a 1-1 draw with a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium and keep the Gunners top of the table. However Arsenal's revival and fighting spirit which need to continue if they are to stay the course in the race for the Barclays Premier League.
An own goal from Philippe Senderos looked to have proved enough to hand a determined Villa side victory, which would have been a first home defeat of the season for Arsenal. And while there was plenty of effort, Arsenal lacked a decisive touch in the final third, with strike pairing Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott unable to conjure up a finish in front of goal.
Villa within inches of going 2-0 up when Almunia pushed a fierce 20-yard drive from Shaun Maloney onto the angle of post and crossbar. Arsenal, stunned by falling behind, slowly regrouped and mounted a decent spell of pressure. Space opened up for Alex Hleb, but the Belarussian skewed his drive wide from 20 yards.
Arsenal made an electric start on the resumption as Walcott darted in on the right side of the penalty area following a neat one-two with Fabregas and then drilled a low, angled shot which Carson saved well at the near post. Villa's final sub, Marlon Harewood, almost grabbed a second when he brushed off Senderos, only to be denied by another good save from Almunia. Arsenal pressed in the closing stages - and rescued a point when Bendtner stabbed home from close range.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
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