Arsenal survived Emmanuel Adebayor's controversial dismissal to hold on for a 1-1 draw against Liverpool that left their title hopes hanging by a slender thread on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger's side were reduced to 10 men early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium when referee Howard Webb showed Togo striker Adebayor a second yellow card for barging into Alvaro Arbeloa.
Adebayor made little contact but the intent was there and Arsenal had to settle for a point that left both sides unsatisfied.The Gunners had taken the lead through Robin van Persie's superb strike but Robbie Keane punished poor defending to draw Liverpool level before half-time.
Suddenly there was more energy to Arsenal. They snapped into tackles and zipped the ball about with intent before conjuring a sublime goal in the 24th minute.
Samir Nasri took possession just inside his own half and unfurled a sumptuous long pass towards van Persie. As Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher dithered, van Persie controlled on his chest, turned away from Carragher and lashed a superb strike past Jose Reina.
The number of phone conversations going on down on the Liverpool bench suggested Benitez, in touch from his sick bed, wasn't a happy man. But he would have been celebrating in front of the television as Liverpool snatched an equaliser against the run of play in the 42nd minute.
Liverpool picked up where they left off before the break and Lucas's powerful shot from the edge of the area forced a fine save from Almunia.
Wenger's side had just begun to build up a little momentum when Adebayor, already on a booking, sent Arbeloa sprawling in the 57th minute. Webb hesitated for a moment, then showed Adebayor a second yellow card to the fury of Wenger and the home fans.
It was no surprise when van Persie and Bacary Sagna were booked for crude challenges born out of pure frustration. Liverpool struggled to press home their advantage and only Agger, with a long range effort, and substitute Nabil El Zhar, who glanced his header wide, went close to snatching the win.
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