Champions Arsenal dropped their first points of the season when a late Henrik Pedersen equaliser earned Bolton Wanderers a 2-2 draw at Highbury on Saturday. The Danish substitute poked the ball home after 85 minutes to deny Arsene Wenger's team their sixth win in six English Premier League games.

Arsenal, who nonetheless extended their unbeaten record to 46 league matches, led through a first-half effort by Thierry Henry. Tunisian defender Radhi Jaidi levelled with a header on the hour but Robert Pires quickly put Arsenal back in front.

The draw meant Arsenal have 16 points, three clear of second-placed Chelsea who entertain Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Improved Bolton are third on 11 points.

Only two fine interceptions by Jaidi prevented the visitors falling behind before Henry ruthlessly dispatched his fifth league goal of the season in the 31st minute.

Displaying instant control, the Frenchman exchanged passes with Patrick Vieira and his angled, left-footed finish rendered Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen a spectator.

Bolton looked unlikely to equalise until Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann flapped weakly at a 63rd-minute corner and Jaidi headed in his first goal in English football.

The Highbury home fans were silent for only three minutes. Ljungberg deftly slipped his marker on the right and crossed for Pires who scuffed the ball fortuitously past Jaaskelainen.

Bolton refused to buckle and when Les Ferdinand flicked on a long clearance, fellow substitute Pedersen showed fine opportunism to beat Lehmann and earn a superb point for Sam Allardyce's team.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Allardyce told Sky Sports television. "I thought they had an off-day and we played very well. It's very pleasing to come from behind twice away from home."

Five other matches are scheduled for Saturday while on Monday Liverpool face stuttering Manchester United at Old Trafford.