Twice Keown made important blocks, then Tour?ade a crucial clearing header after Vadim Evseev had chipped Lehmann. Though Henry had a brace of early chances, bringing a diving save from Ovchinnikov from 20 yards, then shooting over from Edu’s neat through-ball, Keown was soon called upon as Lokomotiv took control. Though the poor touch of the striker Mikheil Ashvetia undermined their efforts, his young partner Marat Izmailov justified his advance billing, orchestrating a wave of attacks. Both were able to continue, as was Thierry Henry, despite a kick to the calf, and Keown, who passed a late fitness test on his leg and then suffered a shoulder injury. Wenger said all should be fit to play at Liverpool on Saturday.

Of the seven substitutes only two, Nwankwo Kanu and Pascal Cygan, had previously started a Premiership match. By contrast, Lokomotiv had five internationals and two Brazilians on their bench.In the circumstances, the last event Wenger needed was an early injury, yet both Edu and Pires had treatment in the opening minutes for arm and back problems respectively. After a sunny day in the Russian capital had given way to a cold evening he unveiled a first XI which looked strong enough despite the absence of Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell, Freddie Ljungberg and Dennis Bergkamp However, the resources in reserve were threadbare. Indeed, it was from a counter-attack that Robert Pires missed Arsenal’s clearest chance 10 minutes into the second half.One problem was that Wenger had a lack of options. Given Arsenal’s speed on the break, Lokomotiv were understandably reluctant to throw too many players forward but for long periods of the game it was they who forced the pace. “We are frustrated because we had the chances to win the game.

The team gave everything but didn’t find the opening.”Wenger criticised Lokomotiv for being “defensive”, but this was more a sign of his frustration at Lokomotiv’s refusal to feed Arsenal’s counter-attacking game than a justified criticism. Arsenal are now bottom of Group B and may need to win three of their remaining four matches to qualify.”I don’t know whether this is a point gained or two dropped,” the Arsenal manager said. Nor, though, was his Russian counterpart, Sergei Ovchinnikov. Whether Arsenal will look back with regret and wonder if they might have ventured more, only time will tell.

The sight of Ars? Wenger urging his team forward for a late set-piece suggested he was acutely aware of the possibility. With Martin Keown setting a captain’s example and Kolo Tour?roving his masterful cohort, Arsenal defended so well that Jens Lehmann was only rarely stretched. This was a more enjoyable game, always intriguing, often open. It will also be remembered for Arsenal’s disciplined performance rather than a loss of control. Not last night, at any rate, as Arsenal, improbably, played their second scoreless draw in 10 days. After more than a decade of glasnost you can find almost anything in Moscow but not, it seems, a goal.