GUDNI Bergsson has spelled out the all-for-one, one-for-all doctrine that has made Wanderers the surprise package of the Premiership.

"The key is that if one makes a slight mistake, another one is there to cover for him," the Reebok skipper explained after starring in the latest episode of Tales of the Unexpected that added star-studded Arsenal to their list of illustrious victims.

"As a whole we are just well-organised tactically. We know what the manager expects of us and we try to limit the space for the opposition to hurt us."

Bergsson - now a 36-year-old veteran - gave a vintage performance as Wanderers battled heroically, down to 10 men for an hour, to restrict Arsenal to just a single goal before Michael Ricketts grabbed a sensational late equaliser.

It was a point that kept them on top of the table on Saturday night at the Gunners' expense - an achievement the captain believes will further strengthen their resolve and take them another rung up the confidence ladder.

"We have to admit we had to be resolute at the back and as a whole as a team," he said.

"We had to play a man less for most of the game and that doesn't make it any easier. I don't think many teams go to Highbury and get a point and to do that under the circumstances really makes the result even more enjoyable."

Wanderers maintain that survival is their top priority this season but Bergsson believes there is scope for improvement.

"Defensively we have played very well in the Premiership," he explains, "but I would like to see us improve at keeping the ball. We've got the talent to keep it better than we are doing."

Having once plied his trade with Arsenal's arch-rivals, Spurs, Bergsson revelled in his return to North London and described the draw as "a magnificent result" but he did not add his voice to the condemnation of referee Clive Wilkes, either for Gardner's dismissal or the claims that Dennis Bergkamp influenced the verdict which came only after assistant referee Des Morrison flagged.

"It was difficult to determine," the qualified lawyer said, considering the case. "The referee had to make a quick decision, although it was the linesman who flagged. I wasn't even sure whether he (Bergkamp) was actually offside or not and the other players are claiming he had already lost control.

"But it was a difficult decision and if you give a free kick there the man, strictly speaking, has to go off.

"I don't think he (Bergkamp) made a meal of it but I haven't got the benefit of replay. It happened so quickly ... it's happened. We stuck to our task and managed to get over it."

Nor did the Bolton skipper have any complaints about the Arsenal goal, which Francis Jeffers tapped in on 74 minutes after Robert Pires looked suspiciously offside.

"I glanced up at the replay and I think he was possibly just onside," Bergsson confessed, having checked on the giant screen on the corner of the North Bank. "There was not much in it but it looked a well timed run and well worked goal."

Wanderers knew they would have limited opportunities at Highbury but always felt they could exploit weaknesses in the injury-ravaged Arsenal defence.

Bergsson explained: "Before the match we knew they had been unsettled. They had suffered a fair few injuries and, although we knew we would be under the cosh, we were determined to try to use what opportunities we had to threaten their back four.

"They were throwing everything forward and that left them a bit open. We didn't perhaps have the legs to punish them as much as we would have liked but we have to be pleased how it worked out. The goal was well worked - little Rod Wallace came on buzzing about and I know from experience that he's a tricky little customer to play against. He's quick and has to take a lot of credit for the goal which Michael finished superbly.

"He's a very good finisher and showed his true worth and talent."