Heroic Van der Sar keeps Arsenal at bay

Fulham keeper Edwin Van der Sar kept Arsenal at bay as he kept a clean sheet in their goalless Premiership draw at Highbury despite constant pressure from the Gunners.

The tabletoppers must have had a couple of dozen attempts to score but none managed to get past the inspired Dutchman who at 6ft 5in (1.98m) is the tallest keeper in the top flight.

The goalkeeper admitted that Sunday was the best time to face the Gunners following their 5-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan in midweek.

"I know from experience if you play an important Champions League match where you have to get a result you are sometimes not the same when you come to the domestic game," said Van der Sar.

"It happened with Manchester United after their game against Rangers and it has happened now."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refused to be too downcast at his side's loss of two crucial points.

"I am not frustrated. I am very happy with our performance - it was just a matter of scoring goals which we know we can do. We played well and they defended and just refused to play," the Frenchman told Sky Sports.

"In this kind of game you score a goal or you don't. They defended well, but they refused to go forward when they won the ball.

"I feel we had the chances to finish the game off and their keeper had a good game. Our finishing was not as clinical as it could have been."

Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp returned for Arsenal, at the expense of Nwankwo Kanu, following knee problems and skippered the side for only the second time.

Brazilian Gilberto Silva was in the starting line-up though fellow midfielder Ray Parlour was out with a hamstring strain.

Arsenal's best chance of the first half came a couple of minutes before the break when Freddie Ljungberg's shot was parried around the post by Van der Sar then Thierry Henry headed Edu's ensuing corner behind.

Arsenal's domination in possession and territorial terms continued throughout the match though nothing turned into a move which bettered Van der Sar.

With half an hour to go however Arsenal had a great couple of chances in succession which they were unable to convert.

A long pass from Ashley Cole found Bergkamp who did well to control it and shoot but Van der Sar blocked it away.

Immediately Ljungberg got possession and tried to make space to get a shot in but once more the Fulham goalkeeper was up to the task.

Striker Kanu came on for Gilberto and Arsenal youngster Jeremie Aliadiere replaced Ljungberg as Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger shuffled the pack late on.

With a few minutes left, Kanu got on to a loose ball and shot on target but that man Van der Sar was once again right behind it.

Fulham thereby got a useful point at Highbury to add to their win at Old Trafford earlier this season.