A goal at either end of the game saw Rovers lose their first League encounter in eight but they pushed Arsenal all the way in this enthralling encounter.

There were ominous signs when Philippe Senderos had headed the home side in front inside the opening five minutes, but in a pulsating match Rovers certainly worried their lofty opponents and but for a little bit of luck they could have found themselves level at the break as they ended the first half strongly.

Hleb hit the foot of the post and Brad Friedel saved to deny Adebayor and Hleb on further occasions as Rovers defended for their lives in the second period, but with the home fans calling for final whistle Adebayor popped up to grab his 19th league goal of the campaign with the last kick of the game.

The result was hard on Rovers, as they gave Arsene Wenger's side as tough a test as they'd seen in quite some time.

Before the game Rovers were forced to make three changes. Suspensions to David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen were absent, whilst Matt Derbyshire didn't travel due to the imminent arrival of twins. That meant starts for Tugay, Bruno Berner and Benni McCarthy.

The home side on the other hand had talked off injury problems during the week, but in the end there was just the one change for Arsene Wenger's side that had defeated Manchester City the previous week, Gilberto Silva coming in for the injured Diaby.

No doubt Mark Hughes' pre-match team talk centred around keeping it tight, quieting the crowd down and making the home side frustrated, but that plan went out of the window inside the first five minutes as the home side took the lead from their first attack.

Tugay's mis-control 30-yards out was seized upon by Adebayor who immediately fed strike-partner Eduardo, as he bore down on goal only a last desperate touch from Andre Ooijer prevented the Croatian from getting his shot away, but that was mere relief as from the resulting Eduardo corner kick, Philippe Senderos was left criminally unmarked to power his header down into the back of the net from six yards out.

With Arsenal taking such an early lead it looked ominous for Rovers, but for the next fifteen minutes they were relatively untroubled, even managing a chance themselves when Steven Reid glanced a header wide, but you always felt another Arsenal attack would be around the corner at any moment.

That proved to be the case on 22 minutes when a ball into space saw Mathieu Flamini run through on goal, but Friedel was alert to the situation and blocked the Frenchman's shot with his legs.

But that proved to be the last time the home side seriously threatened Brad Friedel's goal in the first forty-five as Mark Hughes' grew in confidence, as they started to take the game to the league leaders, frustrating the home fans in the process. Promising situations arose time after time from the flanks, only a vital flick from the head of Gallas stopped either McCarthy or Santa Cruz getting an effort on target from a tantalising Bentley cross on the half hour.

Rovers were starting to keep the ball with more confidence, passing their way through and around Arsenal, another period of possession saw Brett Emerton deliver another excellent ball into the area, but Benni McCarthy couldn't get enough on the ball and in the process took it out of range for Santa Cruz.

Then just before the break another enticing cross into the area saw Arsenal struggling, but Roque Santa Cruz couldn't get a clean connection onto Stephen Warnock's centre.

As they trooped off at half-time, the Rovers players will be kicking themselves that they weren't going in at the break on level terms.

The second half started like the first one did, with the home side camped in Rovers' half. Just four minutes in and Rovers had the foot of the post to thank as Arsenal threatened a second goal. Eduardo switched the ball from one side of the area to the other and as Brett Emerton stood off Alexander Hleb, the Belarusian shot towards goal only to see the ball come off the foot of the near post.

Four minutes later and it was Arsenal's leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor's turn to threaten, outpacing the Rovers defence he shot at goal only for Friedel to save with his legs.

At the midway point of the second half Arsene Wenger's side almost fashioned a goal, Eduardo fed Adebayor but for once he chose to play in Fabregas, the Spaniard dragging his effort wide of goal.

Mark Hughes' side had to work tirelessly to keep the Gunners at bay, closing down the space, defending as a team, and when the opportunity arose, Rovers were able to pass the ball about well, keep possession and again frustrating the home supporters.

But as Rovers committed more players forward they were susceptible on the break. On 75 minutes Adebayor fashioned a chance for himself but Friedel made a smart low save as the striker shot through a crowded area.

With just over ten minutes remaining Mark Hughes threw on Aaron Mokoena and Jason Roberts for Tugay and Benni McCarthy, but as Rovers were adjusting to their new formation the home side twice threatened. First Brad Friedel had to save at the feet of Adebayor, then the American leapt high to palm away an effort from Hleb.

But in the process of defending those chances, Rovers' defender Andre Ooijer was unable to continue and had to limp out of proceedings, it was a huge blow as the Dutchman had been immense once again at the heart of the Rovers defence.

That meant another reshuffle for Rovers and it in turn allowed another attack from the home side, Alexander Hleb ran at the patched up back-four before slipping the ball to his left to Cesc Fabregas, but thankfully he lifted his effort from the edge of the area over the bar.

Rovers had put their heart and soul into this contest, but as the clock ticked into the second and final minute of added time a ball over the top found Hleb cutting in from the right, he found Adebayor in the area, and for once he was able to beat Brad Friedel with a low shot into the corner of the net.

It left Rovers with no time for a come back, referee Stephen Bennett blowing the final whistle moments later, leaving Rovers to lament what might have been.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Sagna, Fabregas, Senderos, Eduardo, Gallas (c), Hleb, Flamini, Gilberto, Clichy, Adebayor.

Subs not used: Fabianski (GK), Bendtner, Traore, Hoyte, Gilbert.

ROVERS: Friedel, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Ooijer (c) (sub Rigters 80 mins), Warnock, Tugay (sub Mokoena 77 mins), Bentley, Reid, McCarthy (sub Roberts 78 mins), Berner, Santa Cruz.

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Kane.

Booked: Fabregas (Arsenal)

Attendance: 60,049