Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool By Paul Fletcher Robbie Keanes Strike gets Liverpool level Robbie Keane struck a stunning equaliser as Liverpool remained top of the Premier League and maintained an eight-point advantage over Arsenal. Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead after collecting a long pass from Samir Nasri that he brilliantly controlled before smashing home. Keane’s equaliser was equally spectacular, drilling home a long punt upfield on the half-volley. Emmanuel Adebayor saw red in the second half after picking up a second yellow. Liverpool had been on top at the time of Adebayor’s 62nd-minute dismissal but the home team competed manfully after losing their Togo striker and were good value for their point. The visitors could now lose top spot in the league if Chelsea defeat Everton on Monday, while Arsenal remain fifth in the table. Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas said in the week before the game that defeat for his team would have effectively spelled the end of their title challenge. Having drawn the fixture the Gunners remain in the hunt but an injury to Fabregas on the stroke of half-time does little to improve their prospects. Rafael Benitez, whose team have already beaten Chelsea and Manchester United this season, missed the game as he recovers from surgery to remove kidney stones but the Liverpool boss did pick the team. Keane, an unused substitute against Hull last weekend, returned as one of four changes from the team that drew with the Tigers. Steven Gerrard played just behind the Irishman and the two combined after 10 minutes for the opening opportunity of the game. Keane looked to be yards offside as he collected a long ball but Gael Clichy had played him on and the striker laid the ball off to Gerrard, whose shot from 20 yards was saved by Manuel Almunia. We would have won with 11 men – Wenger Arsenal took time to settle, struggling to play their fluent passing game. However, Adebayor forced a save from Pepe Reina with a header after he met Bacary Sagna’s cross from the right. And Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a goal of individual brilliance. Nasri, returning after injury, picked out the Dutch forward with a raking pass but Van Persie was closely marked by Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger as he brought the ball down on his chest. Van Persie created a yard of space with his second touch and smashed the ball into the corner of the net with his third. Clear-cut chances remained at a premium but it was another moment of brilliance that saw Keane equalise with his third Premier League goal of the season. Robin van Persie’s goal ggot Arsenal  1-0 up Arsenal had been troubled previously by long balls upfield and failed to deal with an optimistic punt over the top from Agger that Keane smashed home spectacularly on the half-volley. Liverpool might have led at the break but Gerrard could not quite find the target after sliding in to meet a low cross from Kuyt, who then went close himself with a low shot across goal that Almunia did well to save. And the half ended on a sour note for Arsenal when skipper Fabregas sustained a knee injury challenging Xabi Alonso for the ball and was replaced by Vassiriki Diaby. Keane enjoys Liverpool strike Leiva Lucas tested stand-in captain Almunia with a strike shortly after the resumption and the home team’s travails worsened when Adebayor was dismissed.The striker had his foot raised as he competed with Alvaro Arbeloa and caught the defender with his elbow as he spun, prompting referee Howard Webb to issue a second yellow card. But Arsenal, who had struggled since the resumption, rallied after losing Adebayor and enjoyed a spell of pressure in and around the Liverpool box. However, it was Liverpool who came close to a late winner, with a long-range strike from Agger narrowly missing the target and Nabil El Zhar heading wide.   Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas (Diaby 46), Song Billong, Nasri (Eboue 90), Adebayor, Van Persie. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere. Sent Off: Adebayor (62). Booked: Adebayor, Van Persie, Sagna. Goals: Van Persie 24. Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Leiva Lucas (Ngog 88), Alonso, Riera (Babel 71), Gerrard, Keane (El Zhar 81). Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Benayoun, Plessis. Booked: Keane, Carragher, Leiva Lucas. Goals: Keane 42. Att: 60,094 Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).   Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal Jeremie Aliadiere celebrates his equaliser against former club Arsenal Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffered another blow as they were held to a draw at Middlesbrough. Emmanuel Adebayor headed the visitors in front after 17 minutes from Cesc Fabregas’s corner. But Boro hit back and former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere headed a fine equaliser from Tuncay Sanli’s fierce cross 12 minutes later. Robin van Persie wasted a good chance after the break, while keeper Manuel Almunia parried Stewart Downing’s shot. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will view this as two points wasted as they try to keep in touch with the title pace-setters – seeing his side dominate possession but fail to take advantage. Boro boss Gareth Southgate saw his revamped defence hold firm in the closing stages to earn a valuable point. Wenger counts cost of early-season form Wenger’s side opened with real intent, with Van Persie shooting just wide after a glorious passing move and Abou Diaby forcing Boro keeper Ross Turnbull into a block at his near post. And the Gunners took a deserved lead after 17 minutes, although Southgate will be furious at his defence for allowing Adebayor so much time and space to head home Fabregas’s corner. Diaby then tested Turnbull again after another corner caused more problems, before Middlesbrough hit back with a surprise equaliser after 29 minutes. Tuncay was the creator with an instant driven cross, with Aliadiere reacting first to get in ahead of William Gallas and flash a fine header beyond Almunia. 606: DEBATE No excuses Wenger RVP-TheNewDutchMaster The visitors were given a reprieve by referee Peter Walton five minutes later when he waved away justified penalty appeals as Adam Johnson tumbled under a challenge from Gael Clichy. The visitors re-asserted their supremacy after the interval, but Middlesbrough were always a threat on the break. And it took a fine save from Almunia to turn Downing’s shot to safety after Arsenal had been caught out by a raking pass from Julio Arca. But most of the action was at the opposite end, with Van Persie shooting across the face of the goal from Diaby’s pass and then blasting over. Southgate bemoans denied penalty Diaby shot straight at Turnbull as Arsenal enjoyed plenty of possession without creating many clear-cut opportunities. The Gunners introduced Nicklas Bendtner in the closing stages, and he almost made an impact as he forced Turnbull into another block at his near post, then headed off target when well placed. They were Arsenal’s final chances of a frustrating afternoon as Boro held out for a draw.   Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate: “It has been an incredible week for dealing with setbacks, but the performance of the back four in particular, and in the circumstances, was phenomenal. “We showed enough courage in the first half to get back into it and in the second half we had to dig in. “I think a draw given all the circumstances is possibly fair, but we had to be very resilient to get it.” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: “Nobody believes in us but we can show we still believe and keep going. At the moment, my team needs encouragement more than anything. “Today was a game we would have lost at the start of the season. But now we have a better defensive balance and we are more of a team. “We just lacked a little bit of that extra little thing that comes with confidence but we are a young team and that is why it is important we just keep belief and keep going.”   Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Johnson (Emnes 90), Digard (Shawky 90), Arca, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere. Subs Not Used: Jones, Alves, Bates, Hines, Grounds. Goals: Aliadiere 29. Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby (Bendtner 82), Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere, Eboue. Booked: Diaby. Goals: Adebayor 17. Att: 27,320 Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire). MOTM: Fabregas

By Ian Hughes Adebayor salutes after scoring what proved to be the winner Emmanuel Adebayor’s first-half strike handed a below-par Arsenal victory, ending Wigan’s five-game unbeaten run. Wigan came close to opening the scoring when Wilson Palacios’ deflected shot was smartly saved by Manuel Almunia. Instead, Adebayor broke the deadlock when he slotted home a low effort after collecting a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Adebayor almost doubled the lead but Chris Kirkland tipped his shot onto the post and Denilson also saw his drive cannon back off the woodwork. The two sides met in the Carling Cup last month, when Arsenal’s youngsters ran out 3-0 winners against a near full-strength Wigan team. But Arsenal’s seniors struggled to find anything like the fluency of their apprentices, while the visitors might feel that they were a little unlucky to come away with nothing. Wenger pleased with Arsenal focus Wigan enjoyed early success with a robust and disciplined approach – although Palacios took things too far when he challenged Samir Nasri from behind and ended the Frenchman’s match as a result. Before that, Palacios might have put his side ahead when he struck a shot from the edge of the box but Almunia saved well. Arsenal looked sluggish and were lacking fight but they went ahead when Fabregas’ pass found its way through to Adebayor and he scored with a low shot to Kirkland’s right. Adebayor was inches away from doubling Arsenal’s lead when his shot was helped onto the post by Kirkland. It would have been harsh had Wigan gone into the break two goals down as they largely matched their hosts, particularly through the impressive Lee Cattermole. But it was a different story after the interval, when Arsenal stepped up the pace and should have made the game safe. Robin van Persie shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area and also went close with a free-kick, while Denilson cracked a 25-year shot against the foot of the post. Full-back Bacary Sagna had two chances to get on the scoresheet but saw his near-post header saved and then shot over the bar after Wigan failed to clear a corner. And Adebayor almost put the finishing touch to a flowing move but Kirkland did well to beat away his shot. We deserved something – Bruce Wigan, though, had chances to make Arsenal pay for their profligacy. Mario Melchiot was denied by a point-blank save from Almunia, substitute Amr Zaki fired wide and Emile Heskey directed a free header over the bar as Wigan came forward with purpose. Arsenal’s nerves were obvious and they were hardly being helped by substitute Emmanuel Eboue. So out of sorts was the midfielder that Arsene Wenger took him off before the end. Yet the Gunners hung on to claim three points, while Wigan will know they should have taken advantage of their disjointed opponents.   Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “It was a nervy game because we were 1-0 up but couldn’t get the second goal. We played a bit with the handbrake on because we were so desperate to win it. “But I must praise the team because they kept their focus and pushed it through. “Eboue played for longer than I wanted him to. His concentration dropped a little bit and when the crowd got on his back that was difficult to see and accept. “he has to come off as he had lost a lot of confidence – he would have been even more unhappy had he stayed on , given the ball away and cost us a goal.” Wigan manager Steve Bruce: “I cannot really remember coming to a place like this and having so much of the game. “We really took the game to Arsenal and the manner in which we did that absolutely delighted me. “On another day we would have taken something from the game – and we deserved to. “We just needed a bit of luck, and better delivery at times in the last third. “I am disappointed for my players but they gave everything they’ve got. They came and gave Arsenal a hell of a game today. “   Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri (Eboue 32), Van Persie, Adebayor, Eboue (Silvestre 90). Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Bendtner. Booked: Van Persie. Goals: Adebayor 16. Wigan: Kirkland, Taylor, Boyce (Kilbane 63), Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole (Koumas 77), Melchiot, Heskey, Camara (Zaki 66). Subs Not Used: Kingson, Brown, De Ridder, Kapo. Booked: Palacios, Figueroa. Att: 59,317 Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal