Mendes da Silva 90 + 3     Fabregas 35

Arsenal dropped their first points in Champions League Group H thanks to a spectacular stoppage-time equaliser by AZ Alkmaar’s David Mendes da Silva.

The result won’t affect Arsenal’s chances of reaching the last 16. But manager Arsene Wenger will be disappointed they drew another game in which he said they “felt superior.”

Arsenal lead the group by a point from Greek side Olympiakos. And victory in the return fixture against AZ at the Emirates in a fortnight will guarantee qualification.

Cesc Fabregas’s goal ten minutes before the break had given Arsenal a lead they comfortably maintained until AZ switched to a more direct game late on, after their neat passing football had lacked penetration.

And the equaliser came from just such a direct move, Graziano Pelle nodding down a free-kick launched from the centre-circle, for Mendes Da Silva to crash a volley past Gunners’ otherwise untroubled keeper Vito Mannone. Chances were at a premium in the first half. But all the good ones fell to the visitors.

AZ keeper Sergio Romero denied Robin Van Persie on eight minutes, while Andrei Arshavin also went close with a right-foot shot. Mounir El Hamadaoui’s shot on the turn on 25 minutes was AZ’s only first-half effort of note.

And Arsenal deservedly took the lead when Arshavin dispossessed Niklas Moisander and fed Van Persie, whose first-time pass across the goalmouth was neatly tucked away by Fabregas.

Romero denied Van Persie twice more either side of the break. But Arsenal failed to grab the all-important second goal.

Abu Diaby headed against his own crossbar and an unmarked Hector Romero headed narrowly wide as AZ mounted their first spell of pressure. Arsenal’s Carlos Vela appeared to be fouled in the penalty area by Moussa Dembele but referee Martin Hansson thought otherwise. And Mendes Da Silva took full advantage with his spectacular late strike.