Theo Walcott was on target for Arsenal as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Szombathelyi Haladas.

Walcott on target for Wenger's men

Theo Walcott was on target for Arsenal as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladas at the Haladas VSE Stadium. The England international rescued Arsene Wenger's men from a surprise defeat when he cancelled out a Krisztian Kenesei opener three minutes before the interval. The hosts had taken a deserved lead in the 25th minute when former Hungary international striker Kenesei broke through a static Gunners defence and chipped delicately over the on-rushing Manuel Almunia. Justin Hoyte believed he had hooked the ball clear on the line but he was over-ruled by the assistant referee.

Rifled

To rub salt into the defender's wounds, he then sliced a volley over from five yards just minutes later with the goal gaping. But Arsenal equalised in the 42nd minute when Walcott - urged by manager Wenger to stake his claim for a regular place this season - rifled the ball home. The former Southampton forward collected Nicklas Bendtner's short pass on the edge of the area and slammed a low shot across the goalkeeper and in off the far post. An inexperienced Arsenal team struggled to create many clear-cut chances after the break, although Gael Clichy fired a free-kick narrowly over with 12 minutes remaining.