West Ham - 2 Arsenal - 2 Arsene Wenger must have left Upton Park with a strange mix of feelings running through his head. While the Arsenal manager could marvel at his players' refusal to accept defeat, he knew their vulnerability had been exposed at the same time. West Ham, until their minds gave way, had demonstrated how the last year's double winners can be beaten.

Taking on Arsenal these days presents as much a mental test as a physical one and for almost 80 minutes West Ham had their approach spot on. They refused to be cowed by their opponents' stature and declined to sit back in the hope of holding on. Pressing every tackle with passion, yet seeking to take the game to Arsenal, they found a balance that should have brought victory.

Wenger was correct to say West Ham had performed as if this was a cup tie, yet their display was based on more than fight. In closing down Arsenal quickly at source, they disrupted the champions' passing rhythm and forced them to play more rapidly than they would have liked.

"That was the game plan," said West Ham's manager Glenn Roeder. "I saw Arsenal win 2-0 against Birmingham City and you could quite easily have put a one in front of that two. Birmingham showed them so much respect. They have fantastic players, don't get me wrong, but why can't you go and close them down early?

"That's what we decided to do: to go and chase (Patrick) Vieira when he went to get the ball off the back four, to chase Edu down when he got the ball. Suddenly we're winning the ball in good areas and the first pass can go to our front players."

Had Frederic Kanoute made more of his opportunities, West Ham would surely have won and their courage in going forward was key to giving Arsenal such a fright. Putting 10 men behind the ball might seem a logical option but Wenger's players invariably find a passing angle.

Ultimately West Ham fell short after leading 2-0 because Thierry Henry conjured a spectacular goal to give Arsenal hope and the battle of wits that followed was uneven. Where Kanoute missed a penalty and West Ham panicked, Arsenal had the calm and belief to equalise and might have got a third.

West Ham need greater mental strength to avoid further collapses and ensure their home form, second only to Liverpool last season, is reflected on their travels. Yet Roeder can take heart from a performance he called "the benchmark" for his team's season.

Michael Carrick and Edouard Cisse, a strong loan signing from Paris St-Germain with an eye for a pass, never let up in central midfield and made Vieira and Edu struggle until late on. Joe Cole, though still choosing the wrong option at times, had excellent moments. He must show his well-struck goal was not a one-off.

Cole, Carrick and Jermain Defoe will hope to be named in England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad to face Portugal on September 7th. Assuming David James and Trevor Sinclair retain their places, West Ham's representation could be five. Roeder believes Defoe, who set up the second goal impressively, could handle the challenge.

"He's a very mature 19-year-old," he said. "Going to Lilleshall has helped him. It's not just taught him football but about being a rounded human being. His feet are still firmly on the ground."

Roeder will be less protective of Defoe in terms of appearances this season but just as wary about publicity surrounding the striker. He believes Cole was subject to too much attention.

"I will protect (Defoe) from any hype because I've always believed you should never give anyone a reason to want to beat you," he said. "If the hype starts running ahead of him it will give the likes of (Sol) Campbell and (Martin) Keown a bigger reason to make sure he doesn't have a good game."

Few of Arsenal's players could claim to have been at their best in their search for a 15th straight league win. But sheer determination underpinned a comeback few teams would have managed and maintained an unbeaten domestic run stretching back to December.

"My goal was an anger strike," said Henry, who spun on a pass from Vieira and scored powerfully. "I had so much anger at being two goals down. It was instinct because I was so fed up at that point."

Cole's 20-yard shot and a Kanoute finish from Defoe's cross had put West Ham in control. Yet Kanoute allowed David Seaman to save his weak spot-kick and it was no surprise when Sylvain Wiltord equalised two minutes from the end of a marvellous match.

"This team never gives in," Wenger said. "It has shown again exceptional strength and exceptional talent."

But West Ham have also given the rest of the Premiership renewed hope.

Guardian Service

WEST HAM: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn (Breen 69), Carrick, Cole (Moncur 84), Cisse, Sinclair, Defoe, Kanoute.Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Pearce, Camara. Booked: Repka, Moncur. Goals: Cole 44, Kanoute 53.

ARSENAL: Seaman, Cole, Campbell, Keown, Lauren (Toure 84), Vieira, Parlour (Pennant 62), Edu, Wiltord, Bergkamp (Kanu 45), Henry. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Luzhny. Booked: Bergkamp, Edu, Cole, Keown, Vieira. Goals: Henry 65, Wiltord 88.

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).