Alexander Hleb snatched a dramatic late winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

The visitors had taken a shock lead after just 52 seconds through David Healy following a terrible mistake by Gunners goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. However, a late penalty from Robin van Persie and Hleb's strike in the 90th minute finally broke the brave resistance of replacement goalkeeper Tony Warner, who had started after Antti Niemi injured himself during the warm-up.

Life without Thierry Henry may have got off to a winning start, but manager Arsene Wenger will know performances, particularly at the back, will have to improve significantly if the Gunners are to again challenge for the Barclays Premier League title.

Fulham - much changed from the team which only just survived last season - had raced into the lead before many of the spectators had taken their seats.

Alexei Smertin played a ball forwards down the right, full-back Gael Clichy tapped it back to Lehmann - only for the German to make a complete hash of an attempted return pass, striking the ball against his left leg and gifting possession to Healy.

The Northern Ireland international - a £1.5million summer signing from Leeds - could not believe his luck and promptly slotted into a empty net for a first Premier League goal after only 52 seconds.

Hleb felt he had a strong claim for a penalty after cutting in from the left in the 10th minute and being felled by a sloppy challenge from Chris Baird.

Referee Phil Dowd, though, was unimpressed - but replays suggested the Arsenal man was right to be aggrieved.

Tomas Rosicky flashed a volley wide following Bacary Sagna's cross from the right as Arsenal stepped up the tempo.

Emmanuel Eboue and full-back Sagna - on his debut - were working well down the right.

Another quick interchange sent the Ivory Coast man away towards the touchline.

His cutback picked out Hleb on the penalty spot - but Zat Knight threw his boot in the way to deflect the goalbound effort wide.