Arsenal came from behind again at the Emirates Stadium to earn a replay as their FA Cup fourth round tie with Bolton Wanderers ended 1-1.
Another fixture to fit into Arsenal's already hectic schedule was definitely not what manager Arsene Wenger would have wanted.
However, Bolton's determination not to be beaten at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon proved enough to earn themselves a replay.
In an all-too-familiar story, the home side failed to kick into gear until after they had gone behind, which today was five minutes into the second half when skipper Kevin Nolan netted from close range.
It then seemed only a matter of time before the Gunners drew level, with Kolo Toure obliging through a diving header at the far post with 12 minutes to go.
However, not for the want of trying they were unable to conjure an equaliser.
Now Wenger must take his men back up to the Reebok Stadium for a midweek replay, in the week beginning 12 February when they had been scheduled to play a rearranged Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City.
And there will be little time for this result and its repercussions to be digested before the Gunners return here on Wednesday night for the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
After an early scare for the hosts when stand-in goalkeeper Manuel Almunia partially fumbled a downward header from Kevin Davies following a corner, decent chances proved few and far between during the opening exchanges.
The visitors looked dangerous from set plays.
After 17 minutes, Davies flicked on a corner from the left and Ivan Campo volleyed over at the far post under pressure from Arsenal defender Toure.
At the other end, Theo Walcott skipped clear of Ricardo Gardner and into the right side of the box but his low, angled strike was parried away by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Emmanuel Adebayor then sent full-back Justin Hoyte away on the overlap.
His cross was headed away by Abdoulaye Meite, just when Thierry Henry looked set to pounce in the six-yard box.
Mathieu Flamini saw his follow-up shot blocked and the Gunners were now enjoying a period of sustained pressure.
However, once again they lacked a decisive ball in the final third.
Arsenal almost snatched the lead after 40 minutes when Henry latched onto a loose backpass by Gardner.
The Frenchman took the ball around Jaaskelainen and cleverly backheeled it towards goal - but Meite managed to hack clear from two yards out.
Adebayor then went tumbling in the box as he ran between Abdoulaye Faye and Nicky Hunt.
There looked minimal contact at best, and referee Mike Dean was unimpressed with claims for a penalty.
With half-time looming this was Arsenal's best spell, as the Emirates faithful found their voice.
Bolton, though, once again dealt with the danger well and went into the break on level terms.
The visitors started the second half brightly, and took the lead on 50 minutes.
Skipper Nolan flicked the ball on to Nicolas Anelka, who found himself in space on the edge of the area.
The former Arsenal striker held up possession, before releasing Davies on the right.
His cut-back found Nolan at the far post, and the midfielder made no mistake from six yards.
It could have been 2-0 when Nolan was sent clean through as the Arsenal defence were again nowhere to be seen.
However, Almunia came out quickly and made a fine one-handed save at the edge of his area.
The match suddenly went up a gear as the Gunners looked to get back on level terms.
Henry fed Adebayor down the left, and his cross carried to Walcott, arriving at speed towards the far post - but the England man volleyed wide.
As the hour-mark passed, Arsenal slowly started to build a period of sustained pressure.
Jaaskelainen was out quickly to smother the ball as Henry looked to flick in Adebayor's low centre from the left.
Cesc Fabregas then saw his 25-yard strike beaten away by the Bolton goalkeeper.
In the 77th minute, Meite hauled down Fabregas just outside the box on the right and was cautioned.
The Spaniard sent over the free-kick himself which came off Gary Speed and fell into the path of Toure at the far post - who headed the ball down and over Jaaskelainen to level.
Arsenal continued to press, with substitute Julio Baptista heading wide following a chipped free-kick by Fabregas - but had to be content with a replay.
