Arsenal and Liverpool level after battling draw

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 in an end-to-end Champions League quarter-final first leg match at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor headed Arsenal in front after 23 minutes when he rose unchallenged to power the ball past keeper Pepe Reina from close range.

Arsenal's joy was short-lived, however, as Liverpool equalised in the 26th minute when captain Steven Gerrard surged past three defenders wide on the left and crossed for Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt to slide home.

Wednesday's match was the first of three between the teams inside seven days as they face each other again in the Premier League at the Emirates on Saturday before the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

The 200th meeting between the old rivals who first met in 1893 was a superb advert for the English game, even though only three Englishmen played -- Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and halftime Arsenal substitute Theo Walcott.

The game had all the power, speed and high tempo play typical of the Premier League and while Arsenal created the better chances, Liverpool defended superbly. Their only slip was to leave Adebayor free to score his 24th goal of the season and his second in successive games in the Champions League.

DESERVED LEAD

Arsenal took a deserved lead after Robin van Persie had twice gone close.