Keane sees off Vieira in Arsenal's central drama

Premiership showdown: Motivational qualities of Manchester United's captain prove crucial to securing point against arch rivals

Fourteen minutes before kick-off and the sun disappeared behind the skyline beyond the West Stand at Highbury; 11 minutes into the game and Roy Keane was raging against the dying light of his own career.

A volleyed, 40-yard pass direct to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and seconds later hunting down Dennis Bergkamp in his own penalty area. The Keane of old? Not quite. A new, remodelled Roy? Only time, something of which he does not have much left, will tell.

A dead leg and, of course, his chronically damaged hip had made him doubtful for this contest. For Arsenal, Patrick Vieira was struggling with his wounded knees. The two captains, the two heartbeats of their sides. The two combatants who would set the tone, who would carry their managers' instructions and exhortations on to the field. Four minutes to go and they crossed the white line, purposefully, but also with a note of caution that suggested they were there more for the psychological effect they would have on their team-mates – and each other – as their present capabilities.

In the tunnel, beforehand, there was not the slightest acknowledgement of each other's presence, not even a glance. As Vieira, his right leg heavily strapped, shook hands with Fabien Barthez, Keane's eyes were fixed. As both took the field, they could barely bring themselves to shake hands.

Kick-off came and it was clear that the two players were working from memory, adrenalin and pride. There was not much else left in a punishing season even though, for Keane, it was just 26 games old. Vieira, restrained, restricted himself to short, tidy passes. Although five years younger, he had played almost twice as many matches – many, of late, in which he had dragged his team-mates through the 90 minutes. When he hit the ground less than a quarter of an hour in, struggling to reach a tackle, he was slow to get up. The omens were clear. The mind was willing, the body, this time, not able. His manager, Arsène Wenger, had taken a risk. And the risk was not working.

Keane, meanwhile, had already been reprimanded for a body check on Lauren. Just a marker to let him know he was there. A shrug and a stare at Nicky Butt for a wayward pass was followed by a surging dart out of his own penalty area to hunt down an Arsenal corner. Suddenly he appeared to be moving more easily, a holding role may not be in his nature but he could still give a glimpse of old.

A relentless pace was taking its toll, however, on a hot, hot night. And then United scored. Keane was quick to congratulate, Vieira had been slow to track back. Wenger had seen enough and knew his captain had to come off. Before the game, the Arsenal manager had said, pointedly, that: "Patrick has much more time in front of him to improve, which Keane does not have any more." True. No one is better, more energetic, more intimidating. But maybe last night would be Keane's?

After half-time, the Manchester United captain was quickly booked – too slow to catch the quick feet of Fredrik Ljungberg. Gilberto Silva was liberated. His team needed him and he, and his fellow Brazilian Edu, quickened the pace in midfield. Then Arsenal were level and Keane was needed more than ever. The goals came: 2-1 down, 2-2.

Keane, arms jutting, became more animated. He stationed himself in front of the defence. If he could not run he could instruct. Younger, less damaged legs than his were needed but so was a leader. The question was – as always this season – how long could he last?

MAN-FOR-MAN MARKING: HOW THE PLAYERS FARED LAST NIGHT BY NICK HARRIS

ARSENAL

STUART TAYLOR
Late stand-in for David Seaman. No howlers but Seaman's big-match composure and one-on-one capabilities were missed 6/10

LAUREN
Mostly tidy, if unadventurous, display. Coped with composure against the physicality of Roy Keane and scampering of Ryan Giggs 7

MARTIN KEOWN
Made to look ordinary by Van Nistelrooy's elusive dash away from him for the opener. Otherwise looked comfortable 7

SOL CAMPBELL
At fault for Van Nistelrooy's goal when he messed up his interception. Unusually flustered. Sent off for elbow in Solskjaer's face 5

ASHLEY COLE
His early pace and willingness to push forward paid dividends when he surged forward and set up the equaliser 8

FREDRIK LJUNGBERG
Started lively, but became more subdued through attention from Roy Keane and lack of space for usual running 6

GILBERTO SILVA
Mixed bag; some incisive interceptions and deft flicks from the edge of the box that went nowhere. Stop and start display 6

PATRICK VIEIRA
Played reasonably but with less authority than usual because of a heavily strapped knee. Shot wide before going off in 34th minute 5

ROBERT PIRES
Dashed here, there and everywhere. Therein lay the problem – no faulting the effort but results less apparent than at his best 7

THIERRY HENRY
Sublime and ridiculous. Roving, pacey movement. One freak goal. One composed goal, though well offside. One wide free-kick 6

DENNIS BERGKAMP
Spent much of his 75 minutes as peripheral figure, lacking supply and needing better use of occasional flick-ons or decent touches 5

SUBSTITUTES:

EDU
Unremarkable but competent as a stand-in for Vieira 5

SYLVAIN WILTORD
Replaced Bergkamp, allowing options that weren't used 5

NWANKWO KANU
On for Pires with 10 minutes left. No time for impact. 5

MANCHESTER UNITED

FABIEN BARTHEZ
Little to do in first half then conceded through his legs. Not at fault for second. Two good late stops 6

WES BROWN
Risked bookings with overzealous challenges. Sustained a knock to the head; it worked – interceptions became crisper 6

JOHN O'SHEA
Pushed forward, continuing to establish reputation as dribbling offensive defender. Replaced at half-time 7

RIO FERDINAND
Solid display. Apparently detailed to shackle Henry early on. Made timely interceptions; Decent distribution with composure 7

MIKAEL SILVESTRE
Probably wasn't expecting Thierry Henry to spend first half man-marking him; coped well. Made accurate important forward balls 8

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
Great ball inside 10 minutes but Scholes missed. Constantly sought openings. Beckham-like cross for equaliser; wasted a free-kick 8

ROY KEANE
Captain's display full of running, tackling and ball-winning. Conceded free-kicks but thwarted breaks in doing so 7

PAUL SCHOLES
Headed wide in ninth minute when should have done better. Not one of his best games but a few reasonable touches 6

NICKY BUTT
Mixed things up. Positive side was passing and movement; the negative was reckless tackles, as when crunching Pires 7

RYAN GIGGS
Very early on seemed adrift but soon got involved, setting up first goal and scoring second. Good show in less than ideal role 7

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
Poked on to roof of net on 21 minutes then scored absolute peach of a goal involving skill, running and a stunning finish 7

SUBSTITUTE:

GARY NEVILLE
Brought on to replace John O'Shea at half-time, probably as a level-headed influence in a tight game. Did nothing wrong 6