Arsenal 1 Newcastle 1:When everything else fails, Arsenal can always count on Thierry Henry.

The Gunners skipper had been left on the bench for this afternoon's Premiership clash with Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium, manager Arsene Wenger concerned of player burn-out following his midweek international duty with France.

Henry, though, once again proved to be Arsenal's talisman.

The Frenchman was introduced as a second-half substitute when his team were trailing 1-0 - and promptly smashed in a free-kick to level on 70 minutes.

Arsenal pressed, but were denied by some resolute defending and an inspired display by Newcastle keeper Shay Given, fit again following an injury lay-off.

The point, hard-fought as it was, meant Arsenal lost ground on Premiership pacesetters Manchester United and Chelsea, although with a match in hand they are still not out of the title race.

For Newcastle, results elsewhere mean they are at least out of the relegation zone - although still deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table.

Wenger had again stressed the need for his side to take the lead and so force Newcastle to make a game of it, rather than sit back as many visitors had done at the Emirates Stadium.

Those directives were not transferred onto the field, however, as after a positive start and decent chances for Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas, the Magpies stole the lead on the half-hour.

Arsenal were left light at the back following a free-kick, and were caught on the break. A flick-on from Obafemi Martins put Kieron Dyer into space on the edge of the area.

Emmanuel Eboue was tracking him - but the England midfielder took control of the ball, turned and coolly dispatched a low strike into the bottom right corner.

Arsenal were clearly incensed by again falling behind at home, despite dominating for large spells of the match.

The danger was now, of course, Newcastle would sit back on their lead, getting plenty of men behind the ball. With the visitors indeed sitting deep, Robin van Persie tried his luck from 25 yards, but his well-struck shot was straight at Given.

Arsenal remained patient, knocking the ball around waiting for an opening as half-time approached. Adebayor sent a looping header over from Fabregas' chip into area, before van Persie curled an angled shot-on-the-turn just wide of the far post after darting in down the right.

Scott Parker escaped with what looked like a clear handball after Hleb's shot ricocheted up from Duff. Dutchman Van Persie had to go for treatment on his ankle following a heavy block on the edge of the area.

It was no surprise when he did not reappear at the start of the second half, replaced by Henry. Arsenal created an opening inside the first few moments. The ball broke to Adebayor and his snap-shot from close range was drilled straight at Given, who made a smart reaction save.

There was a determination about the Gunners, who produced several slick passing moves, if without the final telling ball. Nevertheless, there were still moments of concern at the other end.

On 55 minutes, Dyer again found space at the edge of the area, and sent a curling effort from the Newcastle left just wide of the far post.

Henry was slipped into the left side of the area, and his angled shot was deflected away acrobatically by Given.

The home side continued to dominate as the hour mark approached. Fabregas was next to be found in space in the danger zone - and his snap-shot was superbly beaten clear one-handed by Given.

It was all Arsenal now, the hosts forcing a succession of corners.

With 20 minutes left, Steven Taylor was cautioned when he bundled over Henry, who was looking to get away on an angled ball down the left.

The Arsenal captain dusted himself down and took the free-kick himself, whipping it up over the wall - and in off the underside of the crossbar for his seventh goal of the season.

Defender Craig Moore almost put through his own net and Henry had an effort deflected onto the post before Given pulled off another fine flying save from the Arsenal skipper.

Four minutes of stoppage time were shown, and the Gunners continued to press - but crucially once again failed to find a winner.