Celtic 1 Arsenal 1
On this evidence England and Scotland's second-best look set to struggle in their battle to re-establish themselves as their country's top teams this season.
Prolific strikers Thierry Henry and Henrik Larsson were both missing but defensive frailties could again be the downfall this coming campaign.
Republic of Ireland youngster Liam Miller gave Celtic some hope with a stunning strike but Kanu fired a reminder to Arsene Wenger with the equaliser as the countdown to the big kick-offs got underway.
The Glasgow giants had already got their first competitive match under their belt with a 4-0 Champions League qualifying defeat of FBK Kaunas in midweek.
But their runway terror on their return flight back from Lithuania did not look to have affected them as they gave the visitors plenty to think about from the start.
Celtic were beaten 4-0 by Manchester United in a competitive friendly last week and Arsenal confirmed they were taking this game seriously and were hungry to reclaim the championship from Old Trafford with some full-blooded challenges.
But if any criticism could be levelled at the Gunners it would be centred on their defending.
Some slack play by Kolo Toure in the eighth minute let Shaun Maloney in but Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann came to his rescue with a good block with his feet.
Arsenal showed their trademark threat in attack and a vital challenge by Johan Mjallby on his countryman Freddie Ljungberg stopped the Swede from going through on goal.
But Celtic allowed Francis Jeffers to get away in the 17th minute only for the former Everton striker to pull his shot well wide with just Magnus Hedman to beat.
Toure always looked vulnerable but it was Ashley Cole's mistake in the 29th minute which gifted Momo Sylla a great chance but he dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Celtic continued to cause Arsenal problems at the back despite not having an experienced man in attack with Maloney playing as a lone striker.
The visitors gave Stilian Petrov too much room a minute later but his weak effort was comfortably saved by Lehmann down by his post.
But Celtic made the long-awaited breakthrough in fantastic fashion after 55th minutes with a wonderful goal by youngster Miller.
Sylla flicked on Neil Lennon's cross and the midfielder chested the ball and swivelled to hit a shot which ended up in the back of the net despite Lehmann's best efforts.
It almost went unnoticed that Patrick Vieira made his long-awaited return to Arsenal's line-up.
He came on for Ljungberg before Pascal Cygan replaced Toure to perhaps strengthen their defence.
But it was Celtic's turn to make a mistake on the hour as Jeffers' shot, after Bobo Balde's blunder, was comfortably saved by Hedman.
Maloney almost capitalised on more poor defending by Arsenal moments later but he failed to find the power to beat Lehmann. Arsenal should have gone level in the 66th minute when Ray Parlour centred for Jeffers after a good ball from Vieira but he turned and blazed wide from seven yards.
The London side came roaring back and a desperate tackle by Varga on the edge of the six-yard box prevented Kanu from a certain equaliser. Arsenal, however, did haul themselves level in the 70th minute and it was no surprise that it came courtesy of a defensive mistake. Substitute Ulrik Laursen guided Kanu's weak first effort back into his path and the Nigerian forced the ball over the line from close range.
Van Bronckhorst should have put Arsenal ahead four minutes later after another defensive lapse but he pulled his effort across the face of goal.
Both teams still have star men Henry and Larsson to come back - but on this show there will be little even they can do to prevent another disappointing outcome in May.