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Camden Sports - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 29 January 2009

Van Persie rescues Gunners

Dutch striker nets injury time equaliser as Arsenal struggle away from home

Premier League
Everton 1, Arsenal 1

ARSENAL salvaged a draw from their trip to Goodison Park last night (Wednesday) when Robin van Persie scored deep into injury time to rescue the north Londoners from a costly defeat.
With just seconds separating the Gunners from their sixth defeat of the season, the Dutch striker hit a stunning left-foot volley after brilliantly controlling Abou Diaby’s clever cross-field ball.
Chances were few and far between in the first-half and it took the visitors more than half an hour to muster even a faint effort on the Everton goal.
Samir Nasri swung in a deep cross for van Persie, but the forward failed to test the Toffees’ American goalkeeper Tim Howard as he placed his shot wide of the post.
Arsenal again looked fragile at the back, and they were found wanting on the hour mark when Everton’s makeshift striker Tim Cahill nodded home a Leighton Baines cross to break the deadlock with his 100th career goal.
The in-form Merseysiders had the better of the chances and will feel they should have grabbed all three points. And although Arsenal needed a win to keep the pressure on the Premier League pacesetters, boss Arsene Wenger will be grateful to share the spoils.
It was vital that the Gunners avoided defeat as they continue to push for a place in next season’s Champions League, especially after Aston Villa, who are threatening to replace Arsenal in the “big four”, beat Portsmouth on Tuesday.

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