MANCHESTER United had to settle for a point after conceding a dramatic last-minute equaliser at the Emirates Stadium.
The Reds took the lead in first-half injury time when Wayne Rooney's close-range effort was deflected in for a William Gallas own-goal, but Francesc Fabregas equalised just minutes after the restart.
United looked to have won the game when Cristiano Ronaldo scored with just eight minutes remaining, but Gallas scored in injury time, the ball just crossing the goal-line despite desperate attempts to clear it.
Despite the early kick-off, the atmosphere inside 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium was electric - and the next 93 minutes did not disappoint.
It was a bright start to the much-anticipated match, with some slick passing on display from Arsene Wenger’s men and little quarter given by United in the tackle.
After eight minutes, Ronaldo saw his downward header come back off the post following a left-wing corner, but referee Howard Webb had spotted a push by the United midfielder on marker Tomas Rosicky.
Quick
At the other end, Emmanuel Adebayor timed his jump all wrong to send a cross from Gael Clichy over the bar.
Following an Arsenal free-kick after 16 minutes, United broke quickly through Ronaldo down the right. Captain Ryan Giggs should have done better when arriving at the far post to meet the eventual low cross, but could only stab the ball wide from a yard out.
Sir Alex Ferguson was out of his dug-out when a decision went against Patrice Evra, for kicking into the back of Emmanuel Eboue, and was quick to give attending fourth official Alan Wiley a piece of his mind as well as the referee.In the 23rd minute, Giggs tried his luck from just outside the area, but the ball was always rising over the bar.
Despite Arsenal having seen plenty of possession, with 30 minutes almost on the clock, the home side had not yet tested Edwin van der Sar.
Alexander Hleb’s run down the right on the counter attack was checked by Anderson, six yards from the edge of the area. Cesc Fabregas whipped the resulting free-kick into the six-yard box, where Gallas met it with a bullet header, only to be denied by the legs of the United keeper.
Bundled
United snatched the lead in first-half stoppage time. Wes Brown bundled Hleb off the ball before he played in Ronaldo down the right.
The low cross was met by Rooney at the near post, and his scuffed shot deflected up off the diving Gallas and past Almunia into the net.
Arsenal’s response was immediate, as they drew level just three minutes into the second half. Eboue floated the ball over from the right and into the penalty area, where Adebayor had time his run perfectly.
Van der Sar was out quickly to block the Togo striker’s volleyed effort. However, the loose ball broke to Bacary Sagna, who squared it back to Fabregas. The young Spaniard set himself before drilling in his 11th goal of the season from 12 yards.
Slowly, the champions began to find their own rhythm again. A fine interchange between Rooney and Giggs set up the England forward with a free header 12 yards out, but for once he was well off target.
United went back in front when substitute Louis Saha fed Evra, who skipped into the right side of the box, drew Almunia and cut the ball back for Ronaldo - who could not miss.
Arsenal pressed for an equaliser, which almost came when Evra spooned the ball onto his own bar.
Just when it looked United were set to take the spoils and record a ninth straight league win, Arsenal forced in a dramatic stoppage goal when Gallas struck at the far post - the ball having been palmed away by van der Sar from behind the line.
Source : http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1022782_arsenal_2_united_2_?rss=yes
Source : http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1022782_arsenal_2_united_2_?rss=yes
