Recalled Dennis Bergkamp spared Arsenal's blushes with a late equaliser at Portman Road to keep them in touch with Manchester United.

The Dutch striker, who had been on the bench for the previous three games, slammed the ball past Ipswich keeper Richard Wright to earn the Gunners a share of the spoils.

Marcus Stewart's second half header looked to have given the home side all three points and on the balance of play it would have been no more than they deserved.

Arsenal appeared to be suffering a hangover from their exertions in Europe and their battle-weary defence was run ragged by an impressive Ipswich attack.

The Gunners had the better of the early exchanges in a goalless first half, with midweek hero Martin Keown once again fancying his chances as a centre forward.

The England star should have opened the scoring in the second minute, but his shot was deflected over by Jamie Clapham. Two minutes later, the ball was whipped off his feet as he bore down on goal again.

Keown was popping up all over the pitch, breaking up a string of attacks and earning himself a yellow card for catching Jamie Scowcroft from behind.

Impressive

Ipswich grew in stature as the half progressed and nearly took the lead before the interval when the impressive Titus Bramble saw his effort ricochet off the face of Nelson Vivas after Stewart had flicked on a corner.

The resultant scramble led to Seaman getting a bloody nose, following a collision with that man Keown.

Arsenal again looked the sharper at the start of the second half, but it was Ipswich who broke the deadlock on 49 minutes.

Skipper Matt Holland, playing his 175th successive game, lobbed in a clever ball to catch the Arsenal defence napping and Marcus Stewart sneaked in behind to glance a low header past Seaman.

Ipswich substitute Richard Naylor should have wrapped things up for George Burley's team on the hour.

The youngster found himself clean through minutes after coming on, but sent his shot wide of Seaman's near post.

Naylor wasted another glorious chance on 80 minutes, heading wide with the goal at his mercy. It was to prove very costly.

Bergkamp made the relegation favourites pay the price for their slack finishing with seven minutes left. Thierry Henry's effort was blocked by Wright and the Dutchman was on hand to coolly slot the ball home.

In a frantic finish to the game, both sides had chances to win the match, but it is Ipswich who will consider it two points dropped.

Ipswich: R. Wright, Wilnis, Clapham, Bramble, Venus, Hriedarsson, Holland, Magilton, J. Wright, Stewart, Scowcroft. Subs: Salmon, Johnson, Naylor, McGreal, Reuser.

Arsenal: Seaman, Keown, Vivas, Luzhny, Silvinho, Grimandi, Parlour, Ljungberg, Bergkamp, Henry, Wiltord. Subs: Dixon, Lukic, Kanu, Cole, Vernazza. Referee: P Durkin (Dorset)