West Ham United 2 Arsenal 2

ARSENE Wenger lamented the way Arsenal failed to hold off the late challenge of a battling West Ham side after letting a 2-0 lead slip.

The Gunners looked in complete control following firsthalf goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas.

However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back following a free-kick, before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late penalty.

West Ham finished with ten men when Scott Parker was shown a second yellow card, but were not to be denied a much-needed point as England goalkeeper Robert Green – at fault for the opener – produced a fine reaction save from Van Persie’s bullet header in stoppage time.

Had Arsenal held on, it would have been their fifth straight victory in the Premier League, and made more of Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.

Wenger accepted it was a ‘‘major missed opportunity’’.

The Arsenal manager said: ‘‘We were in control, but as long as you do not score the third goal, you know the game is not won.

‘‘In fairness, West Ham continued to fight until the last minute and we conceded from two set pieces, which were generous ones.

‘‘I do not think that either should have been given.

‘‘The crowd got behind the referee’s decision and then it is always difficult away from home.

‘‘We are an intelligent team and an intelligent team makes the maximum result with the game they produce. That is what we did not do.

‘‘We complicated our game a little bit and had five or six chances in the second half, but we missed the final ball.

That is what we have to learn.’’ ‘‘We have a great chance for the title this year, but you cannot repeat this kind of performance we had today and not come out with three points.’’ West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola praised the fighting spirit of his team.

The introduction of both Diamanti and England Under- 21 international Zavon Hines helped inject fresh impetus to the Hammers frontline.

Zola said: ‘‘It is not a victory, but it sounds like it with the crowd, and that is what I was looking for.”