5 February 2011 - I've Always Said A 4-Goal Lead Is The Most Dangerous Lead

On 5 February 2011, Newcastle earned a dramatic point against Arsenal, coming back from a 4-goal deficit to draw 4-4.

Newcastle were in their first season back in the Premier League after a one-season spell in the Championship and had already beaten Arsenal away in the league, 0-1. But in the return fixture at St. James's Park, the visitors from London took a quick lead with a strike from Theo Walcott in the first minute.

Nine minutes later, Arsenal were up 0-3 with additional goals from Johan Djourou (3') and Robin van Persie (10'). Van Persie scored again in the 26th minute and, to all appearances, a rout was on. Down 0-4 at the break, Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton later commented that the hosts were just hoping to "avoid a cricket score."

The momentum shifted in the second half, however, as Djourou left the game with an injury in the 48th minute. Two minutes later, they were down to ten men as referee Phil Dowd ejected midfielder Abou Diaby after an incident with Barton.

Barton went on to score twice from the penalty spot (68', 83'), with his brace sandwiched around a 75th-minute goal from Leon Best. Cheik Tiote (pictured) then completed the comeback with an 87th-minute blast from the edge of the box that beat Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny and landed in the bottom corner of the net.

12 September 2009 - Adebayor Puts His Foot Down

On 12 September 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor played against Arsenal for the first time since leaving the London club for Manchester City and, in the process, earned himself a three-match ban.

The striker played at Arsenal from January 2006 to July 2009, scoring a total of 62 goals in 142 appearances across all competitions. But his last days at the club were acrimonious before his £25 million move to Manchester City.

He started well with his new club, scoring in each of his first three matches. For his fourth match, City hosted Arsenal at Eastlands for what turned out to be a contentious affair. City were leading 1-0 in the second half when Adebayor tangled with his former teammate, Robin van Persie, slashing out at the Dutchman's face with his feet.

He did not receive a booking for the altercation, but did later when, after scoring to put City up 3-1, he ran the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of the visiting Arsenal supporters. City went on to win 4-2.

Afterward, the FA reviewed the incident with van Persie and issued a three-match ban to Adebayor.