Burnley come from behind to grab a point against Arsenal, Graham Alexander notching a penalty to give his side a 1-1 draw.
Veteran on the spot to cancel out Fabregas opener
Burnley showed great character to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Arsenal at Turf Moor.
Owen Coyle's side started the brighter of the two sides, but Arsenal took the lead when Cesc Fabregas capitalised on some poor defending to prod past Brian Jensen after eight minutes.
The visitors nearly doubled the lead just minutes later when Andrey Arshavin burst through into the box, only to see his shot hit the bottom of the post.
The Clarets battled back and levelled on 28 minutes, Graham Alexander smashing a penalty past Manuel Almunia after Andre Bikey had been fouled by Thomas Vermaelen.
Burnley went into the match looking to emulate their Carling Cup heroics of last season, where they dumped Arsene Wenger's side out of the competition while they were still a Championship side.
Coyle has led his side to an impressive mid-table position in the Premier League, and at Turf Moor, they have looked more than a match for anyone.
Arsenal could have been forgiven for going into the match doubtful of coming away with anything, given that the Clarets had beaten Manchester United at home and had lost just once in the league there all season.
And the hosts looked like they were going to add to their list of scalps right from the start, starting brightly and putting the Gunners on the back foot.
They nearly took the lead as early as the third minute when Chris Eagles' floated free-kick picked up Clarke Carlisle.
The defender rose highest and headed goal wards, leaving Vermaelen uncertain. The Belgian nodded it backwards in his haste, and the ball looped up over Almunia.
Persistence and class
The stopper was able to rescue his defender though, making an excellent recovery to turn the ball onto the crossbar and out to safety.
The crowd sensed an early goal, but they were pegged back as Arsenal came into life and found their stride.
They went ahead after seven minutes thanks to the persistence and class of Fabregas.
Samir Nasri retrieved an attack after Carlisle had headed away a Theo Walcott cross.
The ball then made its way to Fabregas on the edge of the area and Burnley, despite several attempts, could get it off him as he weaved through and fired into the bottom corner.
Arsenal then turned up the heat and Arshavin then struck the foot of the post with a fierce left-footed drive from 18 yards.
A second goal so soon after the first could have ended it for Burnley, but they responded with gusto and hauled themselves level.
Bikey - a towering presence in the Burnley midfield - showed great skill to carry the ball into the Arsenal box.
As he was about to skip past Vermaelen the defender left his foot outstretched and brought the Cameroonian down.
Alexander stepped up and he rattled his side level with his 100th league penalty, firing down the middle after Almunia had already dived.
Arsenal were stung into a response and a fine ball from Fabregas was seized on by Arshavin only for Jensen to save well at the Russian's feet.
The visitors' hopes of regaining the lead were dealt a serious blow just before the interval as captain Fabregas limped off with an injury, Aaron Ramsey coming on in his place.
Subdued
The second-half was subdued compared to the first, although it was the home side who always looked the more threatening.
Arsenal did piece a good move together to shift the ball from left to right but Walcott, having been frustrated by Stephen Jordan throughout, blazed over.
The England winger was duly subbed shortly after enduring a tough night in which full-back Jordan kept the pace man under wraps.
Burnley burst back into life on the hour as Eagles beat Mikael Silvestre and Nasri on a powerful run and then blasted against the post.
Almunia was then given a massive reprieve when he failed to collect a Bikey cross from the right, the keeper looking back in horror as the ball went past him and Steven Fletcher bundled into the net.
Fortunately for the Spaniard, the assistant referee had his flag-up and the home celebrations were cut short.
Eagles then fired narrowly over and Eduardo had a free-kick comfortably saved by Jensen as both sides pushed to the end.
It will have been Coyle's men that finished the happier with the draw, Arsenal boss Wenger no doubt disappointed his side could not close the gap on leaders Chelsea.
| Burnley |
Team Statistics |
Arsenal |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
7 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 3 |
Corners |
6 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 8 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 66.9 |
Passing Success |
74.3 |
| 17 |
Tackles |
32 |
| 76.5 |
Tackles Success |
81.2 |
| 45.9 |
Possession |
54.1 |
| 48.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.4 |
|
| Burnley |
Team Statistics |
Arsenal |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
7 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 3 |
Corners |
6 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 8 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 66.9 |
Passing Success |
74.3 |
| 17 |
Tackles |
32 |
| 76.5 |
Tackles Success |
81.2 |
| 45.9 |
Possession |
54.1 |
| 48.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.4 |
|
