Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1:  Theo Walcott showed watching England boss Fabio Capello there may just be hope for the future as his late second-half goal dragged Arsenal back into their Carling Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Tottenham at Emirates Stadium.

Manager Arsene Wenger had again put his faith in youth, with the average age of his side tonight just 21.

However, it looked to have been a game too far for the young Gunners as a determined Spurs team — without dropped England keeper Paul Robinson — were good value for their half-time lead through Jermaine Jenas, and looked set to be the first away team to win at the Emirates in 21 matches.

Yet following the introduction of in-form Croatian striker Eduardo and regular full-back Bacary Sagna, Arsenal eventually found another gear and were rewarded when Walcott scrambled in his third goal of the season with 11 minutes left to leave the tie delicately poised for the second leg at White Hart Lane in a fortnight's time.

Spurs number two keeper Radek Cerny showed he is not ring rusty in a first appearance under new Spurs head coach Juande Ramos when he produced a flying save at full stretch to keep out a close-range header from Nicklas Bendtner, following a cross by Hoyte after Robin van Persie's superb reverse pass out to the right.

On 24 minutes, Dimitar Berbatov — once a transfer target for Wenger — charged towards the Arsenal box and was sandwiched by Gilberto and captain for the night Philippe Senderos, giving away a free kick on the right side.

Jamie O'Hara struck his effort well, but the ball curled around the far post and behind.

Tottenham had sold out their allocation, encamped behind the goal, and although the match had been delayed by some 15 minutes as fans struggled through the failing London transport system, there was still a noticeable number of empty seats around the upper tiers of the Emirates, with the official attendance just over 53,000.

After 32 minutes, Spurs should have taken the lead. Robbie Keane's determined run into the Arsenal box was checked by a fine saving tackle from Senderos. The loose ball broke to Steed Malbranque, but from only 12 yards out the French midfielder inexplicably dragged his shot wide.

Polish keeper Lukasz Fabianski then had to be alert to deflect Berbatov's 20-yard drive away.

The Spurs fans, though, did not have to wait long for their goal. Johan Djourou's poor defensive header was picked up by Berbatov. The Bulgarian chipped a first-time ball through to Keane. Played onside by a static Senderos, the Irish captain raced forwards down the left and squared to Jenas, who made no mistake from the penalty spot, firing past an exposed Fabianski.

The visitors were good value for their lead and Wenger made a couple of changes at the break.

Arsenal replaced Djourou with Sagna, and Van Persie — just back from injury — was given a break for goal-hungry Eduardo.

With Hoyte moved to centre-back, Arsenal looked a more cohesive unit and started the second half brightly enough.  It would be, though, in midfield where they also had to regain control. Spurs, however, continued to press.

A fumble by Fabianski from a corner went unpunished, before, on 54 minutes, Keane skipped away ahead of Senderos down the right, but dragged his shot wide from just outside the box.

As the hour mark passed, Arsenal were yet to find their usual passing rhythm.  Wenger's young side were too careless in possession, with Spurs in no hurry to give the ball back to their hosts.

However, as the game entered the final 15 minutes, Arsenal suddenly looked to have found another gear, particularly through Sagna on the overlap down the right. And, out of nothing, the Gunners were level.

Eduardo's weighted pass sent Walcott in between the centre-backs. Lee Young-Pyo came across to the edge of the box, and slid in just as Walcott shaped to shoot. The ball bounced back up off the striker's chest and rolled past the wrong-footed Cerny — leaving Walcott to revel in his celebrations right in front of the Spurs fans.

Arsenal had their tails up, and the Emirates sensed a winner. However, it was Defoe, on for Keane, who could easily have put one in at the other end but he blazed over from Lennon's low cross at the far post.  AGENCIES