BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Arsenal make their point

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

A typically gritty performance saw 10-man Arsenal survive the dismissal of captain Patrick Vieira to escape with a point against Chelsea.

Arsenal last lost a league game just before Christmas and once again Arsene Wenger's side emerged with something from a distinctly unpromising position.

The sending off was very harsh

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Chelsea had gone ahead through a Gianfranco Zola inswinging free-kick that dipped over David Seaman's head in the 34th minute.

Arsenal's hopes of retrieving the game looked to have all but gone when Vieira was dismissed for a second bookable offence soon after the restart.

Key moments

34 mins: Gianfranco Zola's free-kick gives Chelsea the lead

50 mins: Patrick Vieira is dismissed for the eighth time

60 mins: Kolo Toure's persistence pulls Arsenal's level

Yet on the hour Kolo Toure - a first-half substitute for Edu - equalised after Carlo Cudicini had been been unable to hold Sylvain Wiltord's close-range volley.

In pictures: 10-man Gunners hold Chelsea

Without Thierry Henry - absent with a fractured toe - Arsenal had struggled to recreate the attacking play that has characterised their title defence this season.

Kanu had come in for the Frenchman, but the Nigerian's trickery proved a poor substitute for Henry's pace and drive and huge work ethic.

Even so, what Arsenal missed in attacking invention, they certainly made up for in sheer bloody mindedness as they extended their unbeaten run to 25 games.

The visitors had fallen behind to a messy goal that mirrored an untidy half that was interrupted by a series of free-kicks and four yellow cards.

That third booking had been given to Vieira for his late tackle on the Sardinian.

After the Frenchman had discussed his booking with referee Andy D'Urso, Zola's curling delivery deceived Seaman who was also distracted by Gudjohnsen's diagonal run.

Referee Andy D'Urso hands Patrick Vieira a red card
Eight red cards now for Patrick Vieira

It was a goal - in front of the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson - that was eerily reminiscent of Ronaldinho's free-kick that flew over Seaman's head during the World Cup.

Vieira received his marching orders soon after the restart when he picked up another booking for his late tackle on Jesper Gronkjaer.

It was the eighth time he has been sent off in his Arsenal career.

Yet Arsenal showed typical resilience - last weekend Wenger's side retrieved a two-goal deficit at West Ham - and within 10 minutes they were level.

Toure started the move as he ran at the Chelsea defence before laying the ball off to Ashley Cole.

The England international crossed to Wiltord, whose volley wsa too powerful for Cudicini, allowing Toure to head home.

Before Zola's goal, Arsenal had been on top, enjoying success down the right with Lauren and Parlour giving Graeme Le Saux plenty to think about.

A short corner involving those two players ended with Parlour sending his shot just past the shot.

Edu limped off on the half-hour and his replacement Toure made an immediate impact cleverly creating space for Sylvain Wiltord to unlease a quick shot.

Chelsea also had success down the Arsenal left primarily through Gronkjaer.

It was from one of the Dane's crosses that Boudewijn Zenden profited, though the ball did not come down quickly enough and his volley went past the post.

Watch a round-up of the weekend's action

Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferrer, Desailly, Gallas, Le Saux (Melchiot 65), Gronkjaer, Lampard, De Lucas, Zenden (Stanic 71), Gudjohnsen, Zola (Hasselbaink 68). Subs Not Used: de Goey, Morris.

Booked: Lampard, Le Saux, De Lucas, Gronkjaer, Melchiot.

Arsenal: Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Edu (Toure 31), Vieira, Silva, Parlour, Wiltord (Aliadiere 90), Kanu (Cygan 83). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Jeffers.

Sent Off: Vieira (50).

Booked: Vieira, Wiltord.

Attendance: 40,037.

Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).


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