Premier League: West Brom 2 Arsenal 2

Arsenal fought back to earn a point at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but they still lost ground in their title quest.

After defeat in the Carling Cup final, then being dumped out of the Champions League and FA Cup all in the space of 13 days, defeat at the Hawthorns would have put a serious dent in the Londoners’ Premier League ambitions.

And for 70 minutes of this game defeat looked highly likely, courtesy of goals to Albion’s Steven Reid and Peter Odemwingie, before Andrei Arshavin pulled a goal back, and Robin van Persie equalised in the 78th minute.

West Brom were given a gift of a lead in the third minute when an unmarked Reid was allowed to power in a header from six yards out.

That gave the home side something to hang on to and while Arsenal had more possession, they were poor in front of goal.

They should have been level in the 25th minute when Gael Clichy crossed for van Persie. His header came back off the crossbar and Aaron Ramsey’s follow up was well blocked by Albion goalkeeper Scott Carson.

The away side continued to press after the break. Marouane Chamakh, on as a substitute for the disappointing Denilson, headed weakly at Scott Carson.

Albion found a second goal against the run of play, thanks to a shocking mix up between defender and goalkeeper.

A long ball to Odemwingie took a wicked bounce that caught out Sebastien Squillaci and the onrushing keeper Manuel Almunia. The Albion striker capitalised, stroking the ball into the empty net.

To their credit, Arsenal kept battling and were given a lifeline on 70 minutes.

Arshavin played a one-two with Nicklas Bendtner and stroked the ball into the top corner from just inside the box.

And they were level with 12 minutes left. Arshavin’s cross was put back across goal by Bendtner. Defender Abdoulaye Meite erred in front of goal, and van Persie was there to poke the ball over the line.

They could even have won it in stoppage time, but Carson did well to save Gael Clichy’s low attempt late.