By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
Boss Wenger warned the Gunners must now win their last three games to secure a top-four spot as Van Persie came back to haunt the Emirates.
Manchester United’s £22million ace was jeered by Arsenal fans but refused to celebrate his penalty strike which cancelled out Theo Walcott’s early opener.
Wenger said: “There is no room for dropping points but the other teams are in the same position.
“If we win our games it will be enough and I’m convinced we will be there.”
Yesterday’s draw left Arsenal a point behind Chelsea and two ahead of Spurs.
Both of the Gunners’ top-four rivals have a game in hand but also have to play each other at the Bridge.
Arsenal looked on course for victory but Bacary Sagna gave the ball away to RVP and then brought down the Dutchman in the box.
Wenger said: “Sagna is very disappointed. He’s a player who gives absolutely everything in every game but he made a bad pass.
“Maybe after that he panicked a bit and wanted to repair too quickly what he did. He has saved us so many times but, unfortunately, this happened today.”
Wenger insisted RVP was not a hate figure for Arsenal fans who were gutted when he joined United last year.
The Emirates boss added: “When he was here, he didn’t get that kind of reception.They loved him, so this was a bit of disappointed love.”
Walcott was just offside when he received Tomas Rosicky’s pass to open the scoring after two minutes.
The England striker said: “I play to the whistle. People have said I’m offside but it’s not my problem, I just need to finish it.
“It’s been a while, so I’m happy with the goal but I would have preferred a win.
“It will feel like a loss but we have to keep our heads up, there are three very important games still to play.”
