Gunners held by Liverpool

ARSENAL will have to repeat their recent good record of scoring at Anfield if they are to progress through to the semi-finals of the Champions' League, despite being denied a second half penalty by referee Pieter Vink.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's 23rd minute header three minutes after the Togolese striker had put Arsenal in front. But the hosts will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty after Dutch referee Vink failed to spot Kuyt's foul on Alexander Hleb mid-way through the second half, despite standing five yards from the incident.

Vink, who hails from a village three miles from Kuyt's family home, appeared to be in a good position, but instead of pointing to the spot after watching the Dutchman drag down the Arsenal wide man, he signalled for a corner kick.

In truth, Arsenal should have put the game to bed long before their penalty claim, as they failed to turn dominance into goals at the Emirates.

Arsenal began well and were rewarded mid-way through the first period when Adebayor was allowed to challenge unmarked for Robin van Persie's swinging delivery, and he planted his header past Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.

However, the lead was short-lived, and the Reds gained the valuable away goal they craved thanks to a trademark run from Steven Gerrard.

The visitors' skipper glided past Mathieu Flamini and Kolo Toure before firing the ball across goal, where Kuyt was on hand to slide in for the equaliser.

Arsenal dominated the remainder of the match as the Merseysiders' appeared intent to protect the draw, but the golden touch in front of goal evaded them.

Even their own players seemed determined to preserve Liverpool's slender advantage, as substitute Nicklas Bendtner accidentally kicked Cesc Fabregas' effort off the line in a desperate attempt to move out of the way.

Theo Walcott's introduction for the injured van Persie at half-time caused Liverpool problems, but the Reds held out for a priceless score draw, which sees them go into next Tuesday's second leg with the upper hand.

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue (Nicklas Bendtner ,66), Mathieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb, Robin van Persie (Theo Walcott, 45), Emmanuel Adebayor. Unused: Diaby, Song, Gilberto, Hoyte, Leahman (GK)