Bees hold Arsenal (From Times Series)

Bees hold Arsenal

6:50pm Saturday 15th July 2006 in Sport By Paul Wreyford

Barnet 0 Arsenal 0 . . .

Barnet goalkeepers Lee Harrison and Ross Flitney combined to prevent Premiership Arsenal finding the net at Underhill this afternoon.

Harrison and Flitney produced some fine saves to keep out chief threat Jeremy Aliadiere.

And Ismail Yakubu thought he had won it for the Bees, but his header from a Richard Graham free-kick midway through the second half was ruled out.

Manager Paul Fairclough was delighted with his side's efforts. Though the Gunners were missing many big names, they still fielded a strong team with plenty of talent.

"Any side that Arsenal are going to put out is still going to be a formidable one," Fairclough insisted. "Playing against these types can be hard, as youngsters are trying to impress the gaffer.

"I'm pleased with what we achieved today, though I'm not sure what sort of bearing it's going to have on our season."

Barnet conceded 14 goals in the last two friendlies against the Gunners, so this was certainly a big improvement. Arsenal had most of the chances, but Harrison, playing at Underhill for the first time since his move back to the club, was in fine form.

He was called upon within three minutes, when he produced a fine double save to deny Aliadiere and Alexander Hleb.

At the other end, Magno Vieira headed just wide from a Nicky Nicolou cross, though it was the visitors who not surprisingly created the best opportunities.

Harrison did well to reach a delicate Alexandre Song chip, while Nicklas Bendter put a header across goal and wide when he should have done better.

Vieira was thwarted by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia in a one-on-one on the half-hour, but the final chance of the first half saw Harrison again deny Aliadiere, with Hleb once again putting the rebound just wide.

Flitney replaced Harrison at the interval as Barnet, fielding a number of trialists, virtually changed their complete team.

But it was business as usual, with Flitney this time thwarting the unlucky Aliadiere.

The keeper also rescued Anthony Charles, who was dispossessed by Farbrice Muamba on the hour, the keeper blocking his effort.

Harrison returned to the action with 15 minutes to go when Flitney picked up a back injury, but he was not called upon again and the Bees held out to claim a very encouraging draw.

Fairclough joked: "I'm looking forward to the replay at the Emirates Stadium."