ARSENAL 2, Wanderers 2: WONDERFUL Bolton Wanderers are celebrating after a marvellous performance earned a point that gave Arsenal the fright of their lives at Highbury writes Chris Sudlow, watching on TV.

Wanderers refused to give up against the undefeated Premiership champions who still managed to extend their unbeaten run to an incredible 46 games - but Arsenal certainly knew they had been in a game!

Twice Wanderers equalised in the second-half through Tunisian international Radhi Jaidi and Danish international Henrik Pedersen - his fourth in six games.

But it was the confidence of their display as much as the result which will have pleased manager Sam Allardyce so much.

And he admitted as much later. When asked how he felt the beam on his face said as much as the words: "Absolutely delighted!"

Now in their fourth Premiership season Wanderers are definitely there to stay and although that magical 40-point safety target will be the immediate aim there is no reason why they should not look even higher.

Sky TV pundit George Graham, who knows a thing or two about Arsenal, was full of praise for Wanderers. He said: "It was a very well deserved draw. A fantastic achievement and full credit to the manager."

In their last three games Wanderers have taken three points off Liverpool, one away from Manchester United which could quite easily have been the maximum but for a fatal late lapse, and now one from the country's most exciting team.

The bookies made it 4-1 for a draw and 25-1 for a 2-2 scoreline - so I might just be popping out to the pub for a pint now on the strength of my £2 stake!

As it happened

SUSTITUTE Henrik Pedersen has flicked home in the 84th minute to earn Wanderers a fantastic point after an enthralling game at Highbury.

Two goals in three second-half minutes had seen Wanderers first equalise, and then fall behind again at Highbury.

Tunisian international Radhi Jaidi powered home a 62nd minute header to equalise Thierry Henry's first-half wonder goal, but three minutes later Robert Pires flicked home to put Arsenal back in front.

Henry struck an exquisite goal in the first-half to put a damper on Wanderers' hopes of becoming the first club since Leeds United 45 games before to get three Premiership points from Arsenal.

But it has been by no means all one way traffic as Wanderers - on the back of a draw with Manchester United and a win over Liverpool - have given an impressive performance.

In the 56th minute Kevin Nolan was furious when a goal kick was given when TV replays showed his tremendous 25 yard shot was deflected by a defender's slight touch before brushing the top of the bar.

Sam Allardyce has already made a double substition with Les Ferdinand, roundly booed by home fans because of his Spurs connection, and Henrik Pedersern replacing Kevin Davies and El Hadj Diouf.

Wanderers collected two bookings in as many minutes with Ferdinand and then Ricardo Gardner seeing yellow, while manager Allardyce, down on the touchline, very definitely saw red as he remonstrated with anybody who would listen over the Gardner booking.

Arsenal

Lehmann , Lauren , Toure , Cygan , Cole , Ljungberg , Vieira , Silva , Pires , Reyes , Henry

Subs: Bergkamp , Edu , Clichy , Hoyte , Almunia

Wanderers

Jaaskelainen , Hunt , N'Gotty , Jaidi , Gardner , Campo , Nolan , Speed , Okocha , Diouf , Davies

Subs: Barness , Pedersen , Hierro , Ferdinand , Oakes

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire)