Published: 31 January, 2013
by TOM FOOT

ARSENAL and Spurs showed their battling qualities last night (Wednesday) as they came from behind to grab draws in testing Premier League fixtures.

Two goals in three minutes from Oliver Giroud and Theo Walcott saw the Gunners come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, a stunning solo goal from Gareth Bale earned Tottenham a point away at Norwich.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said Walcott has “become a man” after another accomplished performance in the striker’s new attacking role. Wenger said Walcott had developed his “moving forward” game and was showing a new and mature “attitude and determination”.

“Theo played against a top full-back tonight and that’s where you see his quality. He is a man now,” he said.

Wenger shrugged off criticism of his defence after a shambolic start, involving some of the worst defending ever seen at the Emirates, that saw soft goals for Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson.

He said: “The two goals showed how nervous we were from the start. But the quality going forward means you can always smell something can happen.

“It was a fantastic effort. Overall, we know what we can improve and we want to keep positive.”

Walcott and Giroud’s goals came in a sparkling second-half attacking display. The Gunners should have taken the three points after dominating play in a rowdy atmosphere. But the game petered out leaving Arsenal in sixth place and four points behind Spurs ahead of the home fixture against Stoke on Saturday.

Defender Kieron Gibbs will be out for three weeks after picking up a thigh strain.