Arsenal succumbed to their fourth straight draw in the league as they were held 1-1 by Middlesbrough.
Arsenal lose their grip on top spot in the Premier League
Arsenal succumbed to their fourth straight draw in the league as they were held 1-1 by Middlesbrough.
The Gunners needed a late equaliser form Kolo Toure to cancel out Jeremie Aliadiere's opener and lose their grip on top spot in the Premier League as a result of yet more dropped points.
A first-half largely bereft of clear cut chances saw Middlesbrough capitalise on a rare lapse of concentration in the Gunners defence to take the lead after 25 minutes.
Tuncay was awarded far too much room down the left and his pin-point cross was finished with aplomb by former Gunner Aliadiere in the middle.
Arsenal then enjoyed the lion's share of the possession for the remainder of the half, but were unable to find a way through a resolute Boro backline which looked unbeatable at times.
With further frustration ensuing for Arsene Wenger's side in the second period it looked as though they would succumb to their second league defeat of the season, and their second at the hands of Boro.
However, with just four minutes remaining Toure became the unlikely hero for the hosts as he powered a header past a combination of Mark Schwarzer and Andrew Taylor. There was more than hint of an own goal as the ball slipped into the net, but the Ivorian wheeled away in celebration regardless.
Egyptian striker Mido was then dismissed less than 15 minutes after stepping off the bench for catching Gael Clichy with a high, but 10-man Boro gamely withstood an Arsenal barrage towards the end to earn a hard fought point.
Dominated
It could have all worked out so differently for the Gunners had a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor not been incorrectly ruled out after only four minutes, when the ball through had come off the boot of George Boateng at the edge of the Boro area.
Emmanuel Eboue then whipped in a cross from the goal-line on the right, which looped over keeper Schwarzer and came off the top of the crossbar.
Arsenal had dominated the opening quarter of an hour, but despite plenty of positive build-up just lacked a telling pass.
Fit-again Robin van Persie - back in the starting XI for the first time since January - showed his rustiness as he completely missed an attempted volley when coming in on the angle down the left.
Eboue then created space for himself on the right side of the box and drilled in a low shot, which Schwarzer did well to deflect behind at the near post.
In a rare moment of action at the other end, Gary O'Neil fired a shot over the bar from 20 yards following a quick break.
Adebayor almost got on the end of a long pass up field by Cesc Fabregas, but the pace just took it too far ahead of the African frontman.
Delight
Out of nothing, Boro snatched the lead in the 25th minute.
Schwarzer took a free-kick deep in his own half. A long ball down the left released Tuncay Sanli ahead of the Arsenal defence, who were holding on the halfway line looking to play offside.
The Turk dashed clear and his pass back across the face of goal picked out Aliadiere - who took great delight in knocking the ball into the net.
As Arsenal looked for an immediate response, Eboue charged down the right and on into the penalty area before going down under a challenge from Boro skipper Emmanuel Pogatetz, but referee Mark Halsey signalled only a goal kick.
Middlesbrough continued to look to move the ball forwards quickly, rather than sit back on their lead.
As half-time approached, Arsenal were making plenty of progress around the Boro penalty area - but again lacked a decisive pass to unlock a determined rearguard.
Progress
The home side pressed again at the start of the second half.
Van Persie made space outside the left edge of the penalty area, and drilled a low shot just wide from 20 yards.
Luke Young tripped Arsenal winger Alex Hleb to give away a free-kick on the left.
Fabregas' ball in picked out William Gallas, but the Arsenal skipper could only head over from 10 yards out. However, the offside flag had gone up anyway.
Arsenal continued to have the better possession as the hour mark approached, but without making any real progress.
Adebayor chased a couple of hopeful long balls, most unlike Arsenal as the tension mounted around Emirates Stadium.
Wenger made a double change with 29 minutes left.
Impetus
Theo Walcott replaced van Persie and striker Nicklas Bendtner came on for full-back Bacary Sagna as Arsenal regrouped.
The changes gave the hosts new impetus, with the crowd responding to the positive tactical switch.
Hleb put Fabregas in, but Schwarzer was out quickly to save at his feet.
With 15 minutes left, a header from Fabregas shaved the outside of the post with Schwarzer beaten - just about summing up Arsenal's afternoon.
Boro seemed content to sit deep and soak up pressure with 10 men behind the ball as the match entered the closing stages.
However, Toure levelled with just four minutes left when his header found its way into the net after Schwarzer and substitute Andrew Taylor collided on the line.
Mido - who had only just come on after 79 minutes - was shown a straight red for kicking Clichy in the face as he went for a high ball.
Arsenal pressed for a winner in four minutes of stoppage time, but had to be content with a fourth successive draw - which could yet prove so costly come May.
| Arsenal |
Team Statistics |
Middlesbrough |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 9 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 12 |
Corners |
1 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
1 |
| 85 |
Passing Success |
50.9 |
| 13 |
Tackles |
36 |
| 46.2 |
Tackles Success |
63.9 |
| 74.9 |
Possession |
25.1 |
| 62.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
37.1 |
|
