Blackburn 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal was left to rue a moment of carelessness by goalkeeper Jens Lehmann at Ewood Park as the Gunners dropped their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn.

Lehmann allowed Blackburn to secure the draw when he flapped at a shot from David Dunn and watched in disbelief as it nestled in the net.

It was the second time this season the German has been punished for a lack of concentration. On the opening day of the season he allowed Fulham's David Healy to score from close range.

Arsenal went on to secure a victory against the Cottagers but were not so fortunate in Lancashire after Robin van Persie had given Arsene Wenger's men the lead.

The only sour note for Blackburn was the dismissal of its skipper, New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen, for two yellow cards late in the encounter.

Arsenal started strongly and went ahead in the 18th minute when Van Persie took advantage of some sloppy defending to score.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel failed to deal with Eduardo Da Silva's shot after Theo Walcott had headed the ball on.

Nelsen and David Dunn both had chances to clear but failed to do so and van Persie took advantage his second goal of the season.

It was just the start Arsenal wanted after its Champions League victory against Sparta Prague in midweek.

However manager Arsene Wenger was forced to make a change in the 25th minute with William Gallas limping off and replaced by Philippe Senderos.

Blackburn almost drew level in the 34th minute following a free-kick from David Bentley but Nelson's powerful strike came off the post.

Blackburn, though, was still looking vulnerable at the back and a mistake by Stephen Warnock let in Walcott who's poorly timed cross missed van Persie.

After the break, Bentley tried to curl a free-kick beyond Lehmann in the 53rd minute but his effort fail to trouble the goalkeeper.

This was a good spell by Blackburn and Roque Santa Cruz sent a header narrowly wide of the post in the 57th minute following a free-kick from Bentley.

Derbyshire then almost equalised three minutes later when he got on the end of a cross from Bentley but Toure made a vital interception.

There was controversy in the 62nd minute when Cesc Fabregas handled Samba's effort on the line but referee Alan Wiley awarded Arsenal a free-kick for an infringement.

But 18 minutes from time, Rovers drew level thanks to Lehmann's howler which allowed Dunn to score his first goal in his second spell for the club.

Blackburn was growing in confidence and Pedersen made space down the left only to find the side-netting with his shot.

However Rovers were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Nelsen picked up his second yellow card of the game for a challenge on van Persie.

Blackburn, though, kept its shape to take a point and continue their good start to the season.

English Premier League

Blackburn 1 (Dunn 72)
Arsenal 1 (van Persie 18)