Hleb late show lets Jens off the hook

Just 52 seconds in, Jens Lehmann put down his marker for the biggest goalkeeping howler of the season by gifting David Healy a goal on his Fulham debut. The mistake was ironic given that Fulham had to contend with the loss of keeper Antti Niemi to an injured wrist in the warm-up, forcing them to turn to understudy Tony Warner.

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And for more than 80 minutes it seemed Warner's man-of-thematch display would be enough to earn Fulham their first ever away win against Arsenal.

But if the Gunners continue to show this level of determination they will maintain their title c hallenge for longer than last campaign, as a Robin van Persie penalty and a 90th-minute Alexander Hleb effort ensured the three points.

Wenger's delight had him suggesting the comeback could prove to be a season-changing result. A strange assessment given that Arsenal's campaign is only one match old. He may have a point, however.

He said: "You can get momentum and belief from performances like this. We were resilient, didn't give up for 90 minutes, were physically and mentally strong. That's the kind of result that changes a team. To have lost the game would have been a big blow because everyone would have said it was after Thierry Henry had left."

But howWenger, who confirmed he will make a decision on his contract next month, could have done with Henry in his pomp to take on the inspired Warner.

It was Arsenal who were cursing their luck between the sticks inside a minute after Lehmann's howler. The German slipped and fluffed his right-footed clearance from Gael Clichy's backpass, trying to give it back to the French defender. Instead, the ball landed at the feet of Healy, who scored his first goal in the top flight. Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez revealed he had told his players to target Lehmann, whom he believes is a weak link.

"Jens is liable to do something silly and he's one worth chasing down if you're a forward," said Sanchez.

It is not an opinion shared by Wenger, but there was agreement by the two managers on the performance of Warner. By half-time Warner had denied Tomas Rosicky, Hleb and Cesc Fabregas with fine stops as Fulham only occasionally pushed forward.

Referee Phil Dowd's decision not to award a penalty for an apparent trip by Fabregas on Steven Davis left Sanchez and assistant Dave Beasant incensed, although replays suggested no contact.

A minute after the restart, Warner was in action again to deny Rosicky at the near post before Fulham came agonisingly close to a second. But Davis, with lots of time, could only fire his half-volley straight at Lehmann.

Another Arsenal attack, another Warner save, this time from Van Persie. On came Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner to no avail.

Clint Dempsey then spurned a great chance to give Fulham some much needed breathing space with just over 10 minutes remaining, toe-poking his effort wide with only Lehmann to beat.

The miss was to prove costly as Kolo Toure was intentionally blocked by Carlos Bocanegra inside the area. Referee Dowd immediately pointed to the spot and, in the 83rd minute, Arsenal were back on terms as Van Persie fired the penalty in.

The equaliser sparked a bout of pushing and shoving that saw Warner, Papa Bouba Diop and Mathieu Flamini all booked as Arsenal tried to get the ball back to the centre circle quickly, sensing that a winner was not far away.

After an afternoon of being denied by Warner, Hleb finally got reward for his persistence, bringing down a deft, lobbed pass from Fabregas before holding off Chris Baird and slotting the ball home.

Sanchez complained about supposed simulation by Arsenal players, although a challenge by Davis on Hleb should have been a penalty in Arsenal's favour. Wenger batted away speculation that his health is being affected by the workload.

He joked: "I read I'm cracking up under the pressure. I think it's linked to the fact I had to have an ECG for my life insurance and I came out of a hospital somewhere. If I'm sick, I'm ignoring it."