Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead after collecting a long pass from Samir Nasri that he brilliantly controlled before smashing home.

Keane’s equaliser was equally spectacular, drilling home a long punt upfield on the half-volley.

Emmanuel Adebayor saw red in the second half after picking up a second yellow.

Liverpool had been on top at the time of Adebayor’s 62nd-minute dismissal but the home team competed manfully after losing their Togo striker and were good value for their point.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed the visitors in front after 17 minutes from Cesc Fabregas’s corner.

But Boro hit back and former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere headed a fine equaliser from Tuncay Sanli’s fierce cross 12 minutes later.

Robin van Persie wasted a good chance after the break, while keeper Manuel Almunia parried Stewart Downing’s shot.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will view this as two points wasted as they try to keep in touch with the title pace-setters – seeing his side dominate possession but fail to take advantage

Wigan came close to opening the scoring when Wilson Palacios’ deflected shot was smartly saved by Manuel Almunia.

Instead, Adebayor broke the deadlock when he slotted home a low effort after collecting a pass from Cesc Fabregas.

Adebayor almost doubled the lead but Chris Kirkland tipped his shot onto the post and Denilson also saw his drive cannon back off the woodwork.

The two sides met in the Carling Cup last month, when Arsenal’s youngsters ran out 3-0 winners against a near full-strength Wigan team.

Johan Djourou turned Jose Bosingwa’s cross into his own net after 31 minutes to give Chelsea the lead as Arsenal’s title challenge looked to be in danger of suffering a potentially fatal blow.

And then, with Chelsea the dominant force, Van Persie delivered two crucial blows to earn Arsene Wenger’s side a priceless victory.

The Gunners appeared to be in freefall after skipper William Gallas was dropped for his midweek outburst.

Stephen Ireland clipped in City’s first after Gael Clichy sliced a clearance, and Robinho doubled the lead when he superbly chipped Manuel Almunia.

Robinho had a shot cleared off the line before Daniel Sturridge scored with a penalty after he had been fouled.

Arsenal’s build-up to the match was blighted by Gallas’ public claims that the team lacks spirit and togetherness, while City had won only once in five league games.

Nasri’s deflected shot opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and he doubled their advantage three minutes after the interval with a powerful finish from Cesc Fabregas’s precise pass.

Substitute Rafael volleyed United back into contention with a minute of normal time left – but Arsenal survived six extra minutes and an outbreak of mass anxiety at the Emirates to clinch the three points.

It was a victory they merited, with United creating and wasting chances but never carrying the same sense of self-belief as Arsenal in a highly charged atmosphere.

Delap sent a throw to the far post and Fuller glanced in for the opener.

Delap, himself, then looped in a header that Gael Clichy cleared off the line before Olofinjana chested in Stoke’s second from another Delap throw-in.

Van Persie saw red for shoving Thomas Sorensen before Clichy pulled a goal back with a deflected shot.

The defeat is another serious blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations, while Stoke will be delighted with three points that take them a little further away from the drop zone.

David Bentley’s brilliant early strike put Spurs ahead, but Mikael Silvestre headed Arsenal level before half-time.

William Gallas put Arsenal in front seconds after the re-start and Emmanuel Adebayor bundled home their third.

Darren Bent pulled one back before Robin van Persie added Arsenal’s fourth – but Jermaine Jenas’s 89th-minute goal and Lennon’s tap-in earned a point.

Bentley’s audacious opener gave Redknapp the perfect start to his first official game in charge, but that early optimism soon disappeared as Arsenal took total control of the north London derby.

But once again Arsenal were guilty of their familiar crime of over-elaboration and missing chances, leaving the door open for Spurs to rescue a point from a game that looked lost.

Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie both hit the post before substitute Emmanuel Adebayor’s scuffed shot was directed beyond Robert Green via Faubert.

In injury time, Adebayor ran from the centre circle to finish off a delightful Nicklas Bendtner pass.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole was then sent off for a foul on Alex Song.

It was a pulsating end to a match which seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, with West Ham’s defence and the impressive Green frustrating the visitors.