That proved only a brief break from the Van der Vaart show and he was soon in the the thick of it again when he tested Brad Friedel with a low shot that the keeper spilled and was fortunate to see fizz wide.
Arsenal looked to have settled more after the break, and even felt bold enough to pose another brief threat after 62 minutes when Adebayor's volley flew over the top, although Van der Sar had the effort well covered.