A win would have meant the Gunners going top of the league but both teams’ inability to find the net made this a frustrating encounter.

Both teams, however, came close to scoring but were denied by the woodwork.

A fine run by Arshavin resulted in Tomas Rosicky rattling the cross bar, and Stewart Downing should have scored with a header but he too, hit the post.

Both managers will be slightly down-hearted after the result but we won’t have to play an Arsenal team that goes to ground at every single opportunity again this season.

Tonight also saw who our opposition would be in the Carling Cup final, Manchester United beating Manchester City 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate).