Ten-man Leicester City survived the sending-off of Matthew Jones and some bizarre decisions by referee Barry Knight to cling on for a point against Arsenal at Filbert Street.

Peter Taylor's side, who also lost impressive midfielder Muzzy Izzet with a serious-looking neck injury, can have no complaints about the dismissal of Jones for two late challenges.

But then the inconsistencies of refereeing were highlighted as Knight made two appalling errors of judgement.

First he let off Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira without even a yellow card after a dreadful challenge on the combative Robbie Savage.

Then in the second half he saw last defender Silvinho bundle Leicester newcomer Dean Sturridge to the ground and astonishingly only awarded a yellow card against the Brazilian.

The home side were incensed but Taylor's side, who came under constant siege in the final 45 minutes, showed tremendous courage and bravery to hang on for a share of the spoils.

Arsenal had dominated proceedings even before they were handed their numerical advantage with Sylvain Wiltord causing problems with his runs as the home defence failed to pick him up.

But Thierry Henry, who had scored a hat-trick in Arsenal's 6-1 demolition of the Foxes on Boxing Day, lacked the same finishing power in front of goal.

With Gerry Taggart in inspired form on his return to the Leicester defence and keeper Simon Royce making some fine saves, the home side held out against the odds to end a run of three successive defeats.

It means that Arsenal have now won only one of their last seven Premiership matches and their chances of catching Manchester United are diminishing by the week.

Newcomer Roberto Mancini had a quiet debut for Leicester but showed enough touches of class to suggest he will have greater impact when he gains more match fitness.

Arsenal were the first to settle and Henry curled a 20-yard effort just wide from the edge of the area.

Then Royce did well to save at the feet of the dangerous Sylvain Wiltord after he had burst into the penalty area.

Leicester briefly retaliated and wing-back Andrew Impey was only a foot off target with a dipping volley after fit-again Arsenal skipper Tony Adams had headed out a Callum Davidson cross.

Jones received his first yellow card in the 11th minute for a late challenge on Wiltord.

Arsenal were doing most of the pressing and Ray Parlour had a shot blocked after Rob Savage had made a mess of clearing a corner from Pires.

Then another error by Savage allowed Arsenal to counter-attack quickly and Wiltord should have done better with a shot which flew over the bar.

But the Frenchman had Lady Luck against him when a mazy run took him past three challenges only for his low shot to hit a post and rebound into the hands of a grateful Royce.

Arsenal were still in command and Leicester's task became more difficult when Jones was red carded after bringing down Fredrik Ljungberg from behind and he can have few complaints.

But then Knight highlighted the inconsistencies in the game when he let Vieira off with a warning after an even later challenge on Savage.

Tempers appeared to be running high in the Leicester camp and Gerry Taggart appeared to catch Savage about the head after the two had been involved in an angry exchange.

Wenger brought on £6million signing Edu at half-time in place of Ljungberg and Arsenal now totally dominated proceedings.

The home side switched to a 4-4-1 system as they seemed determined to try and cling on for a point.

Henry sent a header just wide and then the same player deflected a shot from Parlour goalwards only for Royce to make a vital block.

It seemed only a matter of time before the Gunners broke through and Henry clipped the outside of a post with another effort from a Parlour centre.

Edu's debut lasted just 15 minutes before he limped out of the action with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Dennis Bergkamp, who this week signed a new contract for Arsenal.

Then the influential Izzet had to be stretchered off with a neck injury following an aerial clash with Lee Dixon.

Arsenal continued to apply non-stop pressure and Royce beat out a 20-yard rocket shot from the impressive Parlour.

But Taylor's battlers were not to be denied and in injury time skipper Matt Elliott headed wide from a Savage free-kick and the final whistle was greeted with the kind of cheer normally reserved for a victory.

Arsenal were the first to threaten when Robert Pires and Ray Parlour combined to find Thierry Henry in space and he curled his 20-yard effort a foot wide.

Mancini came into the action for the first time when he won Leicester's opening corner after a run down the left but the resulting cross from Muzzy Izzet came to nothing after a foul by Leicester skipper Matt Elliott.

Arsenal looked the more menacing in the early stages and Sylvain Wiltord had half a chance after skipping past a challenge but Leicester keeper Simon Royce reacted quickly to save at his feet.

Andrew Impey was only just off target with a volley after Arsenal skipper Tony Adams had headed out a cross from Callum Davidson.

Teams:

Leicester: Royce, Rowett, Elliott, Taggart, Impey, Jones, Izzet (Gilchrist 68), Robbie Savage, Davidson, Sturridge (Gunnlaugsson 81), Mancini (Akinbiyi 73).

Subs Not Used: Guppy, Price.

Sent Off: Jones (41).

Booked: Jones, Sturridge.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho, Ljungberg (Edu 45), Vieira, Parlour, Pires, Henry, Wiltord, Edu (Bergkamp 62).

Subs Not Used: Stepanovs, Manninger, Vivas.

Booked: Silvinho, Keown.

Att: 21,872

Ref: B Knight (Orpington).