Arsenal 2 Everton 2

The Barclays Premier League game between Arsenal and Everton from Emirates Stadium on Jan 9, 2009.

Arsenal's title challenge froze in sub-zero temperatures at the Emirates this afternoon when they missed a golden opportunity to make significant ground on their rivals at the top of the Premier League table.

With most of the fixtures this weekend cancelled due to icy weather conditions, Arsenal could have piled the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester United, but instead dropped points at the Emirates for only the second time this season following a 2-2 draw with Everton. Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar twice put Everton ahead as Arsenal struggled to create chances and could only summon two equalisers with deflected goals.

With Alex Song currently absent at the African Cup of Nations and Cesc Fabregas injured, their frustration was compounded by the sight of Denilson being stretchered off in the second half.

The early pressure and chances fell to Everton. Louis Saha had several sights of goal before the first decisive blow was landed. Landon Donovan, making his debut following a loan move from the Los Angeles Galaxy, floated a cross into the Arsenal penalty from which Osman easily out-jumped William Gallas to head beyond Manuel Almunia.

The goal woke Arsenal up, although there was fortune about their equaliser. Denilson had showed considerable persistence to regain possession and, after a swift exchange of passes between Andrei Arshavin and Eduardo, the Brazilian’s shot was deflected off the ankle of Osman and beyond Tim Howard.

Still Arsenal looked vulnerable, with Tim Cahill misjudging an excellent chance when Almunia had drifted off his line.

With light snow and heavy winds setting in, the second-half was played amid blizzard conditions as both teams found chances difficult to come by. Saha’s shot was deflected narrowly wide, Tomas Rosicky and Arshavin were unable to convert an inviting cross while Eduardo spurned other inviting opportunities.

Everton also survived a penalty appeal following a high challenge from Phil Neville on Denilson. As Arsenal pushed forward in search of a winner, they were hit with a deadly counter-punch. Cahill produced a defence-splitting pass and, with only Almunia to beat, Pienaar deftly chipped the ball over the Spanish goalkeeper.

Arsenal responded again and the second equaliser of the afternoon arrived in injury time via another deflection when Rosicky’s shot cannoned off Lucas Neill and over Howard.

Wenger also confirmed that Arsenal could look to strengthen across the squad, not just in attack. “We are open to it and in every position,” he said. “It’s a bit like being a fisherman – you try here, you try there. You have listed in your head of priorities, one, two, three, four, and you always try to get number one.”

Of West Ham’s Carlton Cole, he added: “We have been linked with Carlton Cole, who is a great player who I rate, but there is no truth to this story as he is injured at the moment, and with all the injuries we want someone who will be available straight away.”