Arsenal 2 Manchester United 2.

Cesc Fabregas insists Arsenal have both the heart and the legs to mount a sustained assault on the Barclays Premier League title this season.

The Gunners produced another late, late show to earn themselves a 2-2 draw against champions Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

It was a result - courtesy of a stoppage-time effort from captain William Gallas, who had earlier scored an own goal into the same net - which extended their unbeaten record to 25 games and denied United the chance to pull clear at the top.

Arsene Wenger's men remain ahead of the chasing pack by the slenderest of margins, on goals scored, but have a game in hand.

Fabregas took his tally for the season to 11 with an effort at the start of the second half as the hosts fought back.

But it is the way the Gunners have finished games so strongly which the young Spaniard believes will stand them in good stead over the next six months.

''Everyone could see that we are a team which fights until the last second,'' Fabregas declared.

''Even if they score, we have to show our qualities, which are to play football, try to create chances and that's what we did until the last second.

''We don't give up and we are very strong physically.

''We can run until the last second of the game. Our opponents are always strong, but we always feel there will be one point where they can't stay with us and that is when we can score.''

Arsenal emerged from a second successive test of their title credentials unscathed, having also drawn 1-1 at Liverpool last weekend with a late goal.

There are, of course, sure to be plenty of twists and turns ahead as the campaign unfolds.

However, it has certainly been a positive start from Wenger's side, whose last trophy was the FA Cup in 2005.

''The title race is still very far, but this point is good,'' said Fabregas, 20.

''Losing the game would have left them three points in front. So to stay top with an extra game is very good.

''But now we have to beat all of the teams that come here and also away from home.

''When you go to places like Liverpool, Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford, you have to try to win those games as well.''

Arsenal had enjoyed long spells of possession, but often failed to find a decisive pass to open up the United defence.

Indeed, the home side were really only on top at the start of the second half and in the dying stages when they finally forced an equaliser in stoppage-time.

Of course, against teams of lesser strength, the Gunners are not expected to face such a quality rearguard.

''Consistency is very important,'' said Fabregas.

''You don't win the title just by results against the big teams like this.

''We have to beat the lesser teams and if we can get results against the top teams then it really helps us in the title race.''

Fabregas declared: ''We have to believe. Belief is the most important thing in football."

Arsenal looked to be heading for a first defeat since April when Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home into an empty net with just eight minutes left after full-back Patrice Evra had drawn keeper Manuel Almunia into an unnecessary dash from his six-yard box.

However, this emerging Arsenal side just do not know when they are beaten and they produced a late surge on the United goal.

Evra sliced the ball on to the top of his own bar, and substitute Eduardo da Silva fired wide.

Then just when time seemed to have run out, Gallas was on hand at the far post to drill the ball over the line.

Even though keeper Edwin van der Sar palmed his shot out, it was well spotted by assistant referee Darren Cann - once on the books of Norwich City - who flagged the goal to Howard Webb.

Owen Hargreaves claims Manchester United are still the kings of the beautiful game.

At times, the quick, passing football on display from both teams was electric, as the affair eventually lived up to its pre-match hype.

While Arsenal have been grabbing the headlines for a finely-tuned approach, United have also been going about their own game with a certain panache, smashing four goals in each of the last four matches before Saturday.

With the likes of Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo, Rooney, Anderson, Nani and Ryan Giggs at the disposal of Sir Alex Ferguson, England midfielder Hargreaves is in no doubt of just what this side can do on the pitch.

''Arsenal kept the ball and had a lot of possession, but they were never really threatening," said Hargreaves, now fit again following a niggling knee problem.

''I do not think they had a clear-cut chance created in the first half, apart from the header by Gallas, and that was a set piece.

''Defensively, we did a good job and tried to control their so-called beautiful football.''

Hargreaves added: ''They keep the ball and try to play that way, but when a team is as good defensively as ours, you can keep them at bay because we played very tight together."