Arsenal’s title dream suffered another blow on Wednesday as Spurs recovered from two goals down to rescue a 3-3 draw, while Chelsea went above the Gunners into second place after beating Birmingham 3-1. Arsene Wenger’s side were on course to move within four points of leaders Manchester United after taking a 3-1 lead at White Hart Lane.
But Wenger’s often-criticised defence failed him again and Rafael Van der Vaart scored a second half penalty equaliser to condemn Arsenal to a fifth draw in six Premier League games. As a result they lost second place to a resurgent Chelsea, who are now six points behind United with a crucial trip to Old Trafford looming in May. Wenger, whose side were held 1-1 by Liverpool on Sunday, said: “Of course we have regrets because we were 3-1 up but the second was an outstanding goal and then we conceded a penalty. “We had a fantastic attitude in the first half but dropped in the second half because it is a massive disadvantage playing two games of such stature in a matter of days. “We will fight like mad for the next game. Of course we can still win the title.” Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti added: “With a six-point lead Manchester United is still too far but we have to believe.” After the pain of Sunday’s draw against Liverpool, Arsenal needed an early boost and they got it when Theo Walcott lit the fuse on an explosive first half by sprinting onto Cesc Fabregas’s pass and slotting past Heurelho Gomes. Arsenal’s lead was short-lived as Dutch international Van der Vaart beat the offside trap to score with a ferocious finish two minutes later. But the Gunners were back in front in the 12th minute when France midfielder Samir Nasri hit a low shot from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection off Spurs defender Michael Dawson before beating Gomes. Wenger’s team increased their lead through Robin van Persie in the 40th minute.