10-man Wolves hold Arsenal to a draw

Posted on December 28, 2011 by SoccerPunter

Arsenal missed the chance to draw level on points with third-place Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

The result left Arsenal in fifth place, two points behind their north London rivals ahead of Spurs’ match at Norwich later Tuesday, and 12 points behind top two, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Gervinho gave Arsenal an eighth-minute lead when, following a superb through ball from Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun, the forward rounded Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey.

But Wolves, now two points above the relegation zone, were level shortly before half-time when a corner came out to Stephen Hunt, whose shot took a deflection before Steven Fletcher reacted quickly to head in an equaliser. In the second half, Arsenal had a penalty appeal for handball by Christophe Berra turned down.

Then, with 15 minutes left, Wolves were a man down when Nenad Milijas was sent off by referee Stuart Atwell for diving in on Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal pressed for a winner, with Robin van Persie twice denied by Hennessey before the Welshman saved well from Thomas Vermaelen as Wolves held out.

“It is very frustrating,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “You won’t play many draws like that in a season but sometimes it can happen.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was delighted by a result that left his side two points above the relegation zone.

“I’m extremely proud,” he said. “I think everyone has seen a real fighting performance from us today. We have had to defend and we did that for 20 minutes with 10 men. ”

Elsewhere, promoted clubs Swansea and QPR shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Welsh side Swansea took a 14th-minute lead through striker Danny Graham but QPR levelled at the Liberty Stadium shortly before the hour mark.

Rangers keeper Paddy Kenny’s goal-kick was headed backward by Swansea midfielder Leon Britton and that gave QPR forward Jamie Mackie the chance to shoot between Michel Vorm’s legs.