Henry earns a point for Arsenal
London, April 22:
Thierry Henry came on as a substitute on Saturday and scored in the 84th minute to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the last game at Highbury between the north London rivals.
Henry, who was being rested for Tuesday’s deciding second-leg Champions League semi-final, scored from 10 yards 22 minutes after entering play.
Robbie Keane put Tottenham ahead in the 66th and Tottenham finished with 10 men after Edgar Davids was sent off in the 86th for a second yellow card.
The draw leaves Tottenham in fourth place — four points ahead of Arsenal — as the two clubs fight for the last Champions League spot from England. Spurs have two games remaining and Arsenal three.
Arsenal could also qualify by winning this season’s Champions League, which would oust Spurs from the competition irrespective of their league positions. The Gunners face Villarreal Tuesday in the second-leg semi-finals — they lead 1-0 — and hope to advance to their first final on May 17 in Paris.
Chelsea leads the league with 88 points and needs one point from its last three games to clinch its second straight title. Manchester United is next with 79 followed by Liverpool (73). Tottenham has 62.
Tottenham dominated the first half with 60 per cent of the possession and three clear chances — two from Jermain Defoe as Spurs pressured the Gunners’ midfield.
Michael Carrick nearly put Tottenham ahead in the final seconds of the first half, weaving through several defenders and, after beating Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann — shot into the side of the net.
Arsenal began to pressure Spurs in the second half, and Robin van Persie had scoring chances in the 56th and 60th. The second chance was the best, with Van Persie breaking in alone, but chipping a ball just wide from 15 yards over goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
In the 62nd, Arsenal manager Arsenal Wenger sent on Henry and Cesc Fabregas, who was also being rested, but Keane got a controversial goal soon after. Spurs’ captain chipped the ball into an open net after ‘keeper Jens Lehmann was pulled wide trying to defend a cross from Davids.
Wenger and the home fans protested against the goal, which came just seconds after midfielder Gilberto was knocked to the ground.
Wenger stood chin-to-chin arguing with Spurs’ manager Martin Jol, angry that Tottenham didn’t stop play by kicking the ball out of play to let Gilberto get treatment. The Brazilian got up straight after anyway and didn’t appear hurt.
Four minutes after Keane’s goal, Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes failed on a chance to equalise from close range.