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Arsenal squandered their 100 per cent record in Champions League Group H as David Mendes Da Silva gave AZ Alkmaar a 1-1 draw at the DSB Stadium.

Cesc Fabregas gave the Gunners a 36th-minute lead after a defensive aberration from Niklas Moisander, but a sloppy second-half display from Arsene Wenger's side saw their previously unblemished record tarnished in added time.

Ronald Koeman's team enjoyed a wealth of possession but never looked like hauling themselves back into the match until Da Silva volleyed emphatically past Vito Mannone from close range in the 93rd minute.

AZ now boast an impressive record of just one home defeat in 35 European ties, but Arsenal could not inflict their second as their assured display in the first half preceded a hesitant and lethargic showing in the second.

Wenger was without Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott for the match, but the Frenchman welcomed back Gael Clichy to his injury-stricken squad.

Mannone once again retained his place in the Arsenal goal at the expense of Manuel Almunia, who was confined to the bench after recovering from his chest infection.

Arsenal have mustered more shots on goal than any other side in the competition, but Andrei Arshavin took things a bit far when he attempted an audacious chip from outside the AZ penalty area which drifted over Sergio Romero's crossbar.

Robin Van Persie went close in the ninth minute with a sharp turn to leave Kew Jaliens leaden-footed but, after cutting inside ominously, his shot was tame and straight at the Argentine goalkeeper.

Three minutes later, Arshavin attempted a bizarre back-pass from the halfway line which flew out for a corner to the Dutch side to leave his team-mates scratching their heads as they retreated to defend the set piece.

Arsenal did well to hassle and harry AZ, who kept the ball as if they were on possession bonuses, but Koeman's side did little to convert their pressure into clear-cut chances.

The hosts had Dutch hotshot Mounir El Hamdaoui in attack, and the former Tottenham striker swivelled and unleashed a fierce shot which zipped narrowly over the bar in the 25th minute as his side made a rare incisive move in the final third.

With Arsenal under the cosh, the visitors pounced ruthlessly on Moisander's mistake with the Finn tripping on the ball and affording Arshavin possession on the edge of the AZ area. The Russian played in Van Persie, who unselfishly squared the ball to his skipper Fabregas who simply rolled the ball into an empty net.

Van Persie looked a potent threat throughout, but it was a tame shot from the Dutchman which almost doubled Arsenal's lead on the stroke of half-time: Romero parried a speculative shot from the striker in very unconvincing fashion and was handed a reprieve as the ball dropped agonisingly over his crossbar.

Arsenal looked sluggish in the second half and were almost punished late on as Stijn Schaars's free kick narrowly evaded the lunge of the gloriously named Maarten Martens, who could not latch on to the delivery with just Mannone to beat.

Van Persie felt he had earned a penalty on the hour-mark after he took the ball exquisitely into his stride to turn Hector Moreno, but referee Martin Hansson was quick to usher him back up to his feet after he hit the deck theatrically.

Abou Diaby, who seems to have a propensity for finding his own net, deflected a devilish delivery from Schaars off his shoulder as the ball looped over Mannone but struck the crossbar in the 73rd minute.

Wenger withdrew Van Persie with 15 minutes remaining as Carlos Vela was handed an opportunity with the Mexican making only his second appearance of the season.

A drab second half petered out poorly at the end as Vela was joined by Aaron Ramsey in a fragmented final period, but Arsenal did not do enough to protect their slender lead.

There was a moment of concern for Wenger as Alexandre Song was scythed down by substitute Jeremain Lens, but after getting to his feet gingerly, Song appeared to shrug off the knock as the visitors looked to close out the match.

The drama came in stoppage time, however, as the excellent substitute Graziano Pelle fed the ball to Da Silva, whose rasping volley left Mannone helpless as the hosts restored parity.

The Gunners remain top of Group H with seven points following victories over Olympiacos and Standard Liege, while AZ remain rooted to the bottom of the group despite having salvaged a late point.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport