Chelsea - 1 Arsenal - 1On the weekend that Roy Keane reminded the world of his self-destructive streak, how fitting that Patrick Vieira picked up a red card of his own. Dismissed for the eighth time in his Arsenal career, the captain could still smile afterwards as he protested his innocence thanks to his team-mates' fine comeback.
Arsenal were trailing 1-0 to a Gianfranco Zola free-kick when Vieira received a second caution in the 50th minute for a foul on Jesper Gronkjaer. Providing more evidence of the depth of their determination, the champions responded with a deserved equaliser from Kolo Toure. But even on an afternoon when a bottle and coin were thrown on to the pitch, it was the controversy surrounding Vieira that dominated post-match proceedings.
Vieira insisted not only that he should never have been booked for his first-half tackle on Zola, but that Gronkjaer's reaction to his lunging challenge by the touchline early in the second half had got him sent off. Given that the referee Andy D'Urso has offered to review the incidents, the 26-year-old hopes at least one will be rescinded and he will not have to serve a one-man ban.
"Gronkjaer just kicked under my foot," Vieira said. "I can understand he can be hurt. I think with the way Gronkjaer went on the floor and was screaming, that's why the referee got it wrong. I hope the referee will come back on his decision." Gronkjaer admitted he "hit the bottom of Patrick's boot" and added: "I don't think he did it on purpose. I didn't want to have him sent off."
The Dane did seem to make a lot of the tackle yet it is by no means a foregone conclusion that D'Urso will decide the booking was not merited.
Vieira was some way from the ball as he challenged Gronkjaer and, given that he was on a caution, he was risking trouble. So, too, were the spectators who hurled objects on to the pitch as Gronkjaer lay prostrate. The English FA is sure to read the officials' reports with interest before deciding if action is necessary.
Vieira first caution had been harsher but, as he slid in near the halfway line to try to dispossess Zola, he again failed to make contact with the ball and the striker ended up on the turf. From the free-kick, Zola beat David Seaman from about 40 yards.
"I don't think I deserved to be sent off," Vieira reflected. "I think it was a really hard decision by the referee. On the first yellow card I went for the ball and Zola just went over me. It's true I didn't touch the ball but I didn't touch him either. From the position he was it looked more spectacular than it was."
When Arsene Wenger complained afterwards that Vieira's bookings were "harsh", he not surprisingly failed to add that Sylvain Wiltord could have received a second caution late on for a foul on William Gallas.
"Patrick went to play the ball on both occasions," he said. "I hope the referee will have a look at it and I believe, out of the heat of the game and with an objective view, he will reconsider the situation."
Beyond doubt was the impressiveness of Arsenal's response to the dismissal. Wenger called his remaining players "10 lions" and the strength of their resolve cannot be questioned. The previous weekend they came from 2-0 down at West Ham to earn a draw and have now scored in 43 successive Premiership matches.
Where Chelsea lost their way after Vieira's red card, the visitors gained momentum. A wounded Arsenal is a dangerous beast and within 10 minutes the lively, powerful Toure equalised. The 21-year-old Ivory Coast international signed last spring, looks to have a bright future.
With Sol Campbell outstanding at the heart of Arsenal's defence despite a hip injury which is almost certain to force him out of England's game on Saturday, Wenger's team never looked likely to be beaten after that.
Chelsea lacked the ingenuity and energy to break them down despite their extra man as Arsenal closed down the passing angles. Apart from a 10-minute period before half-time that followed Zola's goal, Claudio Ranieri's team were largely unimpressive and created little. Gronkjaer gave Ashley Cole a testing time but provided too few dangerous crosses.
Arsenal were in the ascendency when Zola scored, albeit not at their best without the injured Thierry Henry or the usual goal threat from wide areas with Wiltord up front. Zola's free-kick appeared to be aimed for the head of Eidur Gudjohnsen but drifted over the striker, bounced in front of Seaman and beat him. Wenger's suggestions that the 38-year-old England No1 was not culpable were extremely kind.
Rattled by that, Arsenal suddenly looked shaky. But Chelsea failed to take advantage and the sending-off of Vieira worked against them.
Toure started the move which brought his goal, feeding Cole whose cross found Wiltord unmarked at the far post. Carlo Cudicini saved the striker's shot but Toure got in ahead of Gallas to head in.
"When you are 1-0 down, 40 minutes go with 10 men at an away ground, you need great, great strength," Wenger said. "We have shown that again. We refused to give in. It shows you how great the spirit is in this squad."
CHELSEA: Cudicini, Ferrer, Desailly, Gallas, Le Saux (Melchiot 65), Gronkjaer, Lampard, De Lucas, Zenden (Stanic 71), Gudjohnsen, Zola (Hasselbaink 68). Subs Not Used: de Goey, Morris. Booked: Lampard, Le Saux, De Lucas, Gronkjaer, Melchiot. Goals: Zola 34.
ARSENAL: Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Edu (Toure 31), Vieira, Silva, Parlour, Wiltord (Aliadiere 90), Kanu (Cygan 83). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Jeffers. Sent Off: Vieira (50). Booked: Vieira, Wiltord. Goals: Toure 60.
Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
