The Frenchman's 77th-minute strike cancelled out Ledley King's opener and extended Arsenal's unbeaten run against their arch-rivals to 13 games in all competitions.

It was an ideal way for Pires to round off a week that had seen him dropped from the starting line-up after his mix-up with Thierry Henry produced one of the most bizarre penalty misses in recent years against Manchester City last time out.

But Arsene Wenger's side were still left in the unusual position of being three points behind Spurs, whose first-half performance suggested they could sustain their challenge for Champions League qualification.

Tottenham have not been beaten in the Premiership since August 27 and he made just one change to the team that drew with Manchester United last week, Teemu Tainio replacing Edgar Davids.

The game began, unsurprisingly, at a frantic pace. Two Arsenal players -- Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto -- were booked in the first 14 minutes for crude tackles as the Gunners desperately tried to seize the initiative.

It was left to Spurs' centre-half King to show Wenger's team how it should be done when he delicately dispossessed Jose Antonio Reyes in the area just when it seemed the Spaniard seemed certain to score.

How Wenger must wish he had someone of King's stature in his back four.

Arsenal's defensive frailties were brutally exposed in the 17th minute when King showed his attacking prowess by thumping in Michael Carrick's free-kick.

It was a crashing header, but the lack of any kind of challenge on King had Wenger wringing his hands in frustration on the sidelines.

The goal flooded Spurs with belief. Six minutes later a sweeping move involving Jermain Defoe, Jermaine Jenas and Carrick ended with the England midfielder cracking a 20-yard drive just past the right-hand post.

Jenas went even closer in the 27th minute. The former Newcastle playmaker earned himself hero status with Spurs fans after netting their equaliser at Old Trafford last week, but he almost enhanced that reputation when his stinging shot was brilliantly tipped over by Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal had more purpose in the second half, and the Spurs defence, which had looked comfortable in the first period was suddenly creaking.

The South Korean Lee Young Pyo was soon forced to haul down Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area but Pires - who replaced the ineffective Flamini at half-time - curled the free-kick wide.

But for all Arsenal's urgency Spurs continued to create chances. Defoe was the centre of attention, the England striker's pace a constant threat and in the 59th minute he tore away from Kolo Toure and fired a low shot which Lehmann saved well.

It was a crucial stop. With less than 15 minutes left and Arsenal growing desperate, Dennis Bergkamp's free-kick was only partly punched clear by England keeper Paul Robinson and Pires drilled in a precise first-time shot.