Julio Baptista continued his fine goalscoring form in the Carling Cup to put Arsenal in the driving seat to reach next month's final with a 2-2 first leg draw against Tottenham.

The Brazilian, who scored four against Liverpool in the previous round, scored an unfortunate own goal as rivals Tottenham stormed into the two-goal lead before half-time in the semi-final first leg.

But Arsene Wenger's loan signing from Real Madrid then pulled his side back into the tie by using his power for his first goal then taking advantage of poor positioning from goalkeeper Paul Robinson to level.

Theo Walcott missed a glorious late chance to establish a lead to take to next week's second leg but the England Under-21 forward stabbed wide and Arsenal settled for a draw.

It denied Spurs their first win over Arsenal since 1999 after they initially took the game to Arsenal and grabbed the lead through Dimitar Berbatov and Baptista's unfortunate own goal.

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes as Arsenal's bus waded through sticky traffic in north London, and the visitors' early progress was halted by the pace of Aaron Lennon.

Much was made of Gunners boss Wenger fielding youngsters like Denilson, Justin Hoyte and Walcott, but in Lennon Spurs have a Premiership regular who is still 19.

In the third minute he set the tone by riding challenges from Abou Diaby and Armand Traore before his cross was scrambled clear by Hoyte.

Pace was the theme throughout the clash, with both sides barely pausing for breath between attacks, and it was the visitors who had the first sight of goal.

After Anthony Gardner had lost the ball, Cesc Fabregas swept pass Robinson but was forced wide before Michael Dawson cleared.

Spurs took advantage of their reprieve and were ahead in the 12th minute when Berbatov headed home from close range.

Pascal Chimbonda had shifted the ball wide to Jermain Defoe, who crossed from the right and Bulgaria striker Berbatov had the simplest of tasks to head past Manuel Almunia.

However, it was Berbatov's last significant contribution and he was replaced by Robbie Keane in the 18th minute, after appearing to pick up a groin injury.

Spurs were not knocked off their stride though, and doubled the lead two minutes later in fortuitous fashion. Tom Huddlestone, another youngster who has made great strides under Martin Jol, fizzed in a free-kick from the left which flew in off Baptista's heel.

Huddlestone and Fabregas could not be more contrasting in build but they dictated from the middle of the park and both have been tipped to do so for the next decade.

The pair had little time on the ball after the second went in, though, and play was broken up with three quick bookings.

Baptista received the first, Kolo Toure then clattered into Lennon going at full speed and Defoe clipped Denilson.

There was still time in the first half for Dawson to head over from a Huddlestone cross and Baptista to waste a chance at the far post.

Graham Poll was reported to have spent the interval in a dressing room darkened by a power cut, and the Tring official then double checked with the touchline who was to start the second half.

The second period started with the same pace of the first but not the same amount of chances.

The visitors signalled their intent by bringing on Alexander Hleb for Diaby, who was making his first start since his horrific ankle injury last May.

Jeremie Aliadiere then picked up a knock and was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue, and Arsenal's new shape started to look threatening.

Dawson was forced to clear off the line after Philippe Senderos beat Robinson to a free-kick, then Fabregas failed to get power on his header with just the goalkeeper to beat.

But Baptista handed Arsenal their lifeline after 63 minutes, receiving the ball from Eboue and bundling his way through Spurs' centre-back and finishing.

Sensing the next goal to be the most important of the tie, Arsenal attacked and levelled through Baptista with 13 minutes remaining, with Robinson rushing out and Hoyte crossing for the Brazilian to tap in.

But for Walcott's miss, Arsenal would have completed the most remarkable of comebacks.

Teams

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Assou-Ekotto,Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Berbatov (Keane 18),Defoe (Mido 81).

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Young-Pyo Lee, Ghaly.

Booked: Defoe.

Goals: Berbatov 12, Julio Baptista 21 og.

Arsenal Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore, Denilson,Fabregas, Diaby (Hleb 56), Julio Baptista,Aliadiere (Eboue 60), Walcott, Hleb (Flamini 81).

Subs Not Used: Poom, Randall.

Booked: Julio Baptista, Toure, Traore.

Goals: Julio Baptista 64, 77.

Att: 35,485

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).