IT WAS, if truth be told, a dichotomy of emotions.

The notion that Albion can throw away a two-goal lead. We’ve been here before, haven’t we?

But a 2-2 draw against Arsenal is nothing to be snotty about. Not many sides will take four points and score five goals against the Gunners this season.

Manuel Almunia, however, helps matters. He has faced seven shots from Albion this season. Five he has waved past him. This is why Arsenal – a side so asset rich with footballing magicians, dynamism and talent – won’t win the league unless they improve defensively.

Yet the Baggies were worthy of more. And they too showed glimpses of passing ability which Arsene Wenger would have marvelled at, not least a ten-pass move down Albion’s left side which left Chris Brunt inches away from converting Marek Cech’s low cross. It was the move of the match.

Albion’s opening goal was more of a training ground exercise. Steven Reid managed to get away from the inexperienced Aaron Ramsey sufficiently enough to power a header, from Brunt’s corner, past Almunia.

The Arsenal goalkeeper stuck out a palm to try and save the goal where two stronger hands might have done better.

And Almunia won’t have enjoyed the second. Peter Odemwingie was underdog in the chase to a long Youssouf Mulumbu ball.

Sebastien Squillaci had the situation seemingly covered only for Almunia to rush out unnecessarily, confuse his own team-mate and allow the Nigerian to nip past both of the Arsenal players to slide a low shot into an empty net. It surely won’t be long until Jens Lehmann’s status is upgraded from emergency back-up.

Albion, meanwhile, deserve credit for soaking up much of the pressure, not least when they were forced to regroup when James Morrison went off with a head injury following a nasty clash of heads with Laurent Koscielny.

It left Albion a man down for ten minutes while Morrison’s wound was stitched back up. Whether or not he will remember much of his 100th Albion appearance remains to be seen, but he’ll have a nice memento of the occasion.

And Albion were left short again during the final minutes of the first half when Paul Scharner suffered a blow to the head. He was with us in presence, but little else. That Roy Hodgson’s side were able to soldier on during these periods of disadvantage is credit to their organisation and the coaching drilled in by the Baggies’ trainers.