Wenger vows to fight on

Arsene Wenger has vowed Arsenal will fight all the way in the Premier League despite suffering a setback against Birmingham.

The Blues denied the Gunners three precious points courtesy of a fluke injury-time equaliser from substitute Kevin Phillips via an error from Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia in a 1-1 draw at St Andrews.

Substitute Samir Nasri had opened the scoring just 10 minutes earlier before goalkeeper Almunia parried Phillips' block from a Bacary Sagna clearance into his own net.

It showed the lack of luck needed to land a league title and Arsenal now trail Chelsea by three points while Manchester United still hold the upper hand in the race for top spot.

However, Wenger refuses to concede the title just yet and is adamant his players will continue their quest until all is settled.

"We will fight until the end, that is what we intend to do," Wenger told Sky Sports. "But we have a big disappointment just for today and we have to continue to fight."

The introduction of Nasri and Andrey Arshavin in the second half breathed new life into Arsenal, who stepped up a gear in what had been a dull encounter beforehand.

Ineffective

The two wingers, replacements for the ineffective Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky, began to create chances and the Gunners looked like building on their lead after Nasri's superb solo goal.

"We had, two or three times, chances to score the second goal and we didn't do it and of course we're disappointed to have been caught especially in the way we conceded the goal," admitted Wenger.

Asked about Birmingham's impressive home form this season, the disgruntled Frenchman questioned the quality of the St Andrews pitch: "It's very difficult to play football on this pitch.

"We played the second half in their half but I couldn't see a way they could score a goal, apart from a long ball.

"And that's the way they we conceded. I'm not sure that their goal was onside but what can we do?"

Wenger insists the Gunners have no choice but to pick themselves up and continue with their season, which includes a UEFA Champions League quarter-final with holders Barcelona.

"Of course, we have difficult games. We have Wolves (next in the league) and before that we have to play against Barcelona. We need to recover and prepare."