Mind Blogging. Mind Boggling.

Ashwin Ravikumar, Writers news service

In a pleasing show of character and grit, Arsenal twice came back from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against FORMER champions Manchester. Arsenal retained much of the possession throughout the game, and created a clutch of good chances. The first half saw a point blank range header by Gallas ricocheting off ManU custodian Van Der Saar's feet. However ManU's wait and watch policy paid off, Rooney slotting one in at the fag end of the first half.

Arsenal came out all guns blazing at the start of the second period, and were rewarded immediately with some slick goalmouth passing leading to wunderkind Fabregas calmly slotting one into the bottom corner. Halfway throughout the second half, ManU snatched the lead again, with Evra threading through a cunning pass to Ronado who did the needful by tapping it in.

Arsenal, though, keep the gun trained at the red devil's temple, and finally Arsenl's talismanic skipper Gallas succeeded in restoring parity, after one more round of elaborate passing in the box. Test of character for the young Arsenal side, and they come through the fire test unscathed. However, on practical terms, a good result for ManU- the trip to the Emirates stadium was not pointless after all !

p.s. 'writers' is a pun on Reuters... I extend my sincere apologies to the suffering reader..