Spurs settle for draw v Gunners

FT Tottenham 1 Arsenal 1

England goalkeeper Paul Robinson blundered again to let Arsenal off the hook in the north London derby at White Hart Lane – just a week after handing Manchester United a goal at Old Trafford.

Having beaten the Gunners only once in their last 19 confrontations, Tottenham had to settle for a draw again despite dominating the opening 60 minutes and taking a 17th-minute lead through Ledley King’s header from Michael Carrick’s free-kick.

Jens Lehmann had to make two fine saves from Jermaine Jenas and Jermain Defoe as Spurs threatened to wrap up victory.

But Robinson’s mishandling of Dennis Bergkamp’s free-kick allowed Arsenal substitute Robert Pires – dropped to the bench after last week’s penalty gaffe at Highbury – to score his familiar goal against Spurs.

Arsenal were gradually imposing themselves on the game and after two near misses by Van Persie, it was Robinson who handed them the equaliser.

Following a 77th-minute foul by Stalteri on Reyes, the goalkeeper flapped at Bergkamp’s free-kick and sent it only as far as Pires who needed no second invitation to drill it back in the net.

Arsenal finished the stronger and looked the more likely winners with Reyes hesitating over a chance conjured up by Van Persie.