Peter Crouch snatched a precious equaliser for struggling Southampton against Arsenal today as both teams were reduced to 10 men and drew 1-1 at St Mary's.
Freddie Ljungberg's tap-in, soon after David Prutton's 44th-minute sending-off, looked to have put the Gunners in control.
But they also had Robin van Persie dismissed for a second yellow card 12 minutes after the break and Crouch's header levelled midway through the second half.
However, it should still have been a better ending to a dismal Arsenal week as they dominated but Thierry Henry was twice denied by Saints reserve keeper Paul Smith in the last 10 minutes before a linesman ruled out Ashley Cole's last-gasp header for offside.
Champions Arsenal had gone into the game with a chance to cut the gap on Premiership leaders Chelsea to eight points but just as in Munich on Tuesday, their defence was almost exposed in the opening minutes.
Slack work allowed Henri Camara to sneak in and it needed a desperate stretch by Pascal Cygan to save the day at the expense of a corner.
Kolo Toure had slotted in at right-back with Philippe Senderos playing centre-half alongside Cygan, and a ball pumped over the Ivory Coast defender's head put Crouch in to force another early corner.
Yet despite all Southampton's early pressure, it was the visitors who should have taken the lead with their first real break.
Henry was quick to pounce on a mistake by Olivier Bernard and played a superb through-ball for van Persie but the Dutchman could not keep his low first-time shot on target.
Play quickly switched back to the other end and Camara felt aggrieved not to be awarded a free-kick for an apparent trip by Cygan on the edge of the area. The flag was raised but referee Alan Wiley chose to take no action.
Saints had another good chance just after the half hour when Crouch headed down for Camara and the Senegal frontman volleyed straight at Jens Lehmann.
Despite Saints' chances, Arsenal were enjoying the better possession and Saints midfielder Prutton incurred a booking for a heavy tackle on Mathieu Flamini.
A chance then appeared to open up for Henry from a deep Cole cross but he chose to pass inside and Southampton cleared.
Southampton's task was then made all the more difficult as Prutton was shown a second yellow card and sent off for another bad tackle, this time on Robert Pires.
Prutton reacted angrily to the decision and pushed Wiley as he attempted to confront his assistant on the touchline. In the end it was manager Harry Redknapp who had to drag him away.
It proved the end of Pires' afternoon as he was carried off on a stretcher soon after and replaced by Gael Clichy.
The home side paid the penalty as the Gunners took the lead in the first-half stoppage time.
Henry jinked his way into the area and squared to Freddie Ljungberg for a simple finish from six yards.
Arsenal maintained their control as the second half got under way as Henry backheeled Flamini's through-ball into Ljungberg's path in the 48th minute but the Swede was crowded out by defenders.
A minute later Smith then made an astonishing save from Henry after the striker was set up by van Persie just eight yards out. The young keeper saved with an outstretched leg.
But Arsenal had double reason to regret that as within two minutes they themselves were reduced to 10 men, van Persie dismissed for a second yellow card for a bad challenge on Le Saux.
Henry at least looked to exploit the extra space and dribbled away from a host of challengers to find Ljungberg but his shot was well held by Smith.
Yet Southampton still sensed a way to get back into the match and were rewarded with an equaliser after 66 minutes.
Crouch was the man who did the damage as he rose to reach a Jamie Redknapp corner. Lehmann was left stranded as Crouch's powerful downward header bounced up and went in off the crossbar.
As time ran out Crouch almost reached another cross but Saints had two reprieves.
Smith produced a brilliant save to keep out Henry's curling effort with just minutes remaining and Cole was denied by the offside flag.
