Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Arsenal

The Dutch master, 15 games without scoring and no longer guaranteed a starting place, was in the right place six minutes from the end after Ipswich keeper Richard Wright had rushed out to block at Thierry Henry's feet.

Wright's interception spilled out to Bergkamp and he calmly placed a low finish into an unguarded net from eight yards. It was a simple equaliser but could prove vital come the title shake-up in May.

Arsenal, hoping to capitalise on Manchester United's dropped points earlier in the day, looked uneasy in the absence of Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires and their defence went AWOL at the start of the second half as Ipswich took a shock lead.

Marcus Stewart was unmarked as he rose to meet Matt Holland's floated cross and although he missed his header the ball struck his left shoulder to spin past David Seaman.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had watched his side force three corners in the opening five minutes and then cease as an attacking force, reshuffled his pack to reflect his side's urgency for a goal.

Kanu came in for Sylvain Wiltord and Bergkamp, who had started behind the front two, moved up alongside Henry. Suddenly the Dutchman, anonymous apart from a stunning volley tipped away by Wright, became a major influence.

His cross found unmarked Fredrik Ljungberg but the chance was badly fluffed by the Swede.

Then, with time running out and Arsenal facing only a third defeat in 24 games, Kanu set Henry free with a pinpoint 30-yard pass. The Frenchman's pace took him in behind the home defence and as Wright came out to smother his shot the rebound bounced kindly for Bergkamp.

Newly promoted Ipswich could easily feel hard done by. Never intimidated by their big-name opponents, they showed why their satisfactory start has placed them comfortably mid-table.

After a shaky opening, during which Silvinho's set-pieces caused havoc, Ipswich went on to create the better chances. Richard Naylor, back after operations on both of his knees during the summer, could have celebrated his return with a couple of goals.

He had only been on the field for 30 seconds as a replacement for James Scowcroft when Jim Magilton's hook forward left him clear with only Seaman to beat.