Slap-dash Arsenal held up by Fulham

LONDON (AFP) - Mikel Arteta saw an injury-time penalty saved as Arsenal's hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League faded a little further on Saturday after an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Fulham.

The result left Arsene Wenger's side four points below the Champions League places in seventh position, with four of the teams above them still to play.

Despite a strong start from Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, the hosts found themselves 2-0 up inside 23 minutes thanks to a near-post header from Olivier Giroud and a predatory finish from Lukas Podolski.

Fulham hit back through Dimitar Berbatov, who headed home unmarked from a corner, before substitute Alexander Kacaniklic draw the visitors level with a downward header five minutes before half-time. Berbatov then gave Fulham the lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, after Arteta tripped Bryan Ruiz, but Giroud restored parity two minutes later with a header after an initial attempt hit the post.