Eboue sees red as Gunners hold on

Winger Eboue saw red after picking up two needless yellow cards in the first half, while Adebayor pulled up with what looked like a serious hamstring problem.

Robbie Keane had lead the Spurs attack on his return from Liverpool, and went close with a header while Alex Song missed the best chance for the Gunners, who had new signing Andrei Arshavin on the bench.

It was the home side who started brightly, forcing a couple of early corners. Keane went down under the challenge of William Gallas on the right side of the penalty area, but referee Mike Dean was having none of it and waved play on.

Robin van Persie and Eboue combined down the Arsenal right to release the Ivory Coast winger, but his centre across goal from a tight angle was just too far ahead of Adebayor. Eboue was in again after 13 minutes when he scampered into the left side of the Spurs box, but was crowded out.

However, he then tripped Jonathan Woodgate before regaining the loose ball and stabbing it into the net, with celebrations cut swiftly short by the referee's whistle. Eboue picked up a needless caution, but one which would later prove so costly.

Gael Clichy chased what looked like a lost cause down the left with Vedran Corluka. Samir Nasri nicked the ball from on the goalline before the full-back sent a low pass across the face of goal, which just eluded Adebayor. That proved to be the last action for the African, who pulled up mid-run and was eventually carried off on a stretcher.

Before Arsenal could make a change, they were down to 10 men. Luka Modric and Eboue clashed on the near touchline. The referee had seen enough to caution both men - showing Eboue, who kicked out to trip the Spurs man, a second yellow card followed by a red.

After 56 minutes, Spurs came within inches of taking the lead when Keane got up to meet Lennon's cross from the right, but his close-range header skimmed the top of the crossbar.

With 20 minutes left, Arsenal had a great chance to snatch the lead when Van Persie's corner fell to Song in the six-yard box - but the midfielder could only hook the ball wide. Both sides pressed during four minutes of stoppage time, with Carlo Cudicini tipping over from Bendtner and Almunia denying Modric.