Published: 10 November, 2012
by PAUL COWLING at the Emirates

JUST as in midweek against Schalke in the Champions League, Arsenal swept into a two-goal lead only to be pegged back by nervy defending.

Again Arsenal had to settle for a point, but as far as their Premier League title challenge is concerned, one point was two dropped for the Gunners.

With this pulsating match poised at 3-3, Mikel Arteta had the chance to claim all three points for Arsenal in injury time, but his penalty was well saved by Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.

After the match Arsene Wenger defended Arteta for the miss. He said: "Arteta is our first choice penalty taker. I cannot blame him for the miss."

Wenger had brought in Francis Coquelin for the suspended Jack Wilshere. Wilshere had said before the match that Arsenal needed a “minor miracle” to win the title this season.

They got the perfect start on 11 minutes when Olivier Giroud's bullet header put Arsenal 1-0 up.

It got even better on 23 minutes, when Lukas Podolski drilled in a close-range shot for 2-0.

But there is a defensive uncertainty about Arsenal this season, and it showed on 28 minutes, when Berbatov's glanced header from a corner made it 2-1.

"We are guilty at corners," admitted Wenger. "But the positives are that we can score goals.”

But defending like they do, it's just as well.

It got worse for Arsenal on 40 minutes, when Berbatov set up substitute Alex Kacaniklic to head Fulham's equaliser. Half time 2-2.

The game really came to life midway through the second half.

Arteta was harshly adjudged to have fouled Ruiz, and referee Phil Dowd awarded Fulham a penalty. Berbatov calmly converted for 3-2 on 67 minutes.

Two minutes later, Arsenal were level. A shot from Giroud rebounded off the post , but Walcott smartly followed up and crossed for the French international to head Arsenal's equaliser.

Giroud then forced a save from Schwarzer with 10 minutes to go, and then headed well wide at the death.

Then in the third minute of injury time Fulham defender Sascha Riether handled an Arshavin cross. Penalty to Arsenal.

But Arteta's miss ensured the points were fairly shared.

Arsenal's “title chasing” minor miracle is looking more like the need for divine intervention, and with Tottenham at home coming up, they need it fast.

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Coquelin (Ramsey 55) , Arteta, Cazorla, Walcott (Arshavin 84), Podolski (Oxlade-Chamberlain 77), Giroud. Subs: Szczesny, Andre Santos, Jenkinson, Chamakh. Arsenal goals: Podolski 23, Giroud 11 and 69.
Attendance: 60,093