League leaders Liverpool arrived at the Emirates aiming for a victory that would finish Arsenal’s hopes of claiming the title.
Yet the Reds were without manager Rafael Benitez who was recovering from surgery, although there was a recall to the side for Robbie Keane. Lucas Leiva and Emiliano Insua also featured in place of the injured Andrea Dossena and flu victim Javier Mascherano.
Arsenal, meanwhile made only one change from the side held at Middlesbrough last weekend with Samir Nasri replacing Abou Diaby.
The sides traded chances in the cagey opening exchanges. Steven Gerrard firing straight at Manuel Almunia after some good hold up play by Robbie Keane before Emmanuel Adebayor’s header from Bacary Sagna’s cross was claimed by Pepe Reina.
Yet midway through the first half the Gunners took the lead with a glorious goal. A superb 60 yard pass from Nasri found van Persie on the edge of the box.
The Dutchman chested the ball down, before a superb second touch took the ball away from Jamie Carragher and allowed him space to slam it home right footed.
The goal visibly relaxed Arsenal who enjoyed some controlled possession football but minutes before half-time Liverpool grabbed an equaliser.
A hopeful punt upfield by Arbeloa, found Keane capitalising on some poor Arsenal defending and the striker smashed home an emphatic finish to level the scores.
Liverpool could have gone in at the break ahead, with Kuyt setting up Gerrard for a great chance on the stroke of half time, but the Reds skipper on the stretch couldn’t quite find the target.
There was more bad news for Arsenal at the break with captain Cesc Fabregas unable to continue after picking up a knee injury in a challenge with Xabi Alonso, and Abou Diaby replacing the Spaniard.
The visitors picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, dominating possession and with Lucas forcing Almunia into a decent stop after some good work down the left by Insua.
However, the biggest talking point of the second half undoubtedly occurred on the hour mark when Adebayor received a second yellow card from referee Howard Webb after a clash with Arbeloa.
Whilst Arbeloa went to ground clutching his face, after appearing to catch a stray arm from the Arsenal striker, Webb appeared to brandish the card for Adebayor having gone in for the tackle with his foot over the top of the ball.
The decision infuriated both the Arsenal crowd and a frustrated Arsene Wenger on the touchline and with the tempo well and truly raised, the tackles began to fly in with Sagna and van Persie both going into the book for rash challenges, swiftly followed by Jamie Carragher.
Yet strangely the sending off seemed to suit Arsenal who battled impressively against a Liverpool side seemingly reluctant to take a risk against ten men and turn one point into three.
Indeed the closest the visitors came was a speculative shot from range by Agger that just missed the top corner and a header from substitute El Zhar that flew inches wide.
However, it was not enough and Liverpool, unable to make their man advantage count, had to settle for a draw and what they may feel is a missed opportunity.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas (Diaby, 46), Song, Nasri (Eboue, 90 +1), Adebayor, Van Persie.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas (Ngog, 88), Alonso, Riera (Babel, 71), Gerrard, Keane (El Zhar, 81).
GOALS
1-1 Liverpool (Keane, 42)
1-0 Arsenal (van Persie, 24)
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