The Belarussian pounced seconds into injury-time to a cap a remarkable late fight-back from Arsene Wenger's side, who had looked set for a shock defeat after Jens Lehmann's early blunder had gifted David Healy a debut goal.

But Robin van Persie cancelled out Healy's strike with an 84rd-minute penalty and the hosts' intense pressure was rewarded when Hleb collected Cesc Fabregas's delicate chipped pass and smashed into the bottom corner.

It was cruel on Fulham and their goalkeeper, Tony Warner, in particular. The 34-year-old had been drafted into Lawrie Sanchez's starting line-up moments before kick-off after his first-choice, Antti Niemi, injured himself in the warm-up, and made a string of spectacular saves to keep Arsenal at bay.

Warner certainly enjoyed a better day than Lehmann. In the 53rd second, the German made a hash of dealing with Gael Clichy's gentle back-pass, attempting a clever reverse pass instead of clearing downfield.

Lehmann slipped at the crucial moment and scuffed straight to Healy, and the ball bounced in off the forward's shin.

Falling behind at the Emirates Stadium is hardly a new experience for Arsenal. No team won more points from losing positions last season, but then they could at least count on the steadying influence of old heads such as Henry and Freddie Ljungberg.No longer. There was a frantic quality to much of Arsenal's football, although they still created a welter of chances.

In the 13th minute, Tomas Rosicky flashed a volley wide of the right-hand post following fine work by Bacary Sagna, while Hleb's low drive moments later was well blocked by a sprawling Zat Knight.

Even when Arsenal did break through, they found Warner in inspired form. The former Liverpool goalkeeper tipped aside Rosicky's 35th-minute daisy-cutter, somehow blocked Hleb's shot from close range and then dived bravely at Fabregas's feet just as the Spaniard was set to equalise.

Fulham were hanging on grimly, although the quicksilver runs of Healy and Simon Davies ensured Arsenal were never entirely comfortable.

The visitors howled for a penalty after Davies collapsed under Fabregas's challenge shortly before half-time, but replays suggested Phil Dowd, the referee, was right to wave play on.

That did not stop Sanchez complaining vociferously on the touchline, although the Fulham manager should have been grateful that Dowd had taken an equally dismissive view of Arsenal's own penalty claims in the 20th minute, when Hleb had been illegally scythed down by Chris Baird.

The second period started at a similarly break-neck pace, with Warner immediately denying Rosicky with a plunging save, although Arsenal's increasing desperation left their defence riddled with holes.

Fulham could have made the points secure when Healy's right-wing cross sparked havoc but Steven Davis - yet another debutant - could only blast the loose ball straight at Lehmann.

It was a costly miss. With seven minutes remaining, Kolo Toure's surge into the area was checked by Carlos Bocanegra and van Perse slammed his spot-kick high into the top corner.

Arsenal would have been grateful for a point, but they snatched all three with seconds remaining when Hleb finally snaked a shot past the despairing Warner. Arsenal were triumphant, but hardly convincing.