Middlesbrough	1 - 1	Arsenal
Scorers Yakubu (pen) 63  Booked Viduka 41 Arca 89	Half Time ( 0 - 0 )	Scorers Henry 77  Booked Lehmann 62  Sent Off Senderos 62

Arsenal were grateful to their mercurial captain Thierry Henry after the Gunners striker grabbed a 77th minute equaliser at the Riverside. Arsene Wenger’s side were trailing to Yakubu’s 63rd minute penalty after Senderos had seen red for his challenge on the Nigerian striker.

The Gunners although reduced to ten men still managed an equaliser and may have even won it at the death against a spirited and hard-working Middlesbrough side.
Neither side played particularly attractive football as Arsenal failed to click into the gear that makes them such a fabulous side to watch. Credit must go to ‘Boro for that as they hassled and harried in an effort to knock the Gunners out of their stride.

The home side created the first chance as Yakubu’s ran through on goal only for Hoyte to dispossess the striker in impressive fashion.

‘Boro continued to make life difficult for Arsenal and with the exception of Rosicky’s effort that fizzed wide there was little to light up a rather dour and uninspiring first half.

The hosts were dealt a blow at the break as the impressive Cattermole was forced to leave the field due to injury and with that ‘Boro lost some of the tenacity that had been so evident in their midfield.

‘Boro continued to look the more likely to open the scoring and Viduka went close with a powerful 20-yard effort after a rare mistake from Toure.

The hosts finally got their noses in front just after the hour mark as Yakubu burst through on goal and was cynically hauled down by Senderos. There was little hesitation from Mike Riley as the West Yorkshire official brandished the red card.

Jens Lehmann, not one for keeping quiet, was booked for his protests and Yakubu enraged him further by coolly slotting home the penalty to give his side the lead.

‘Boro stepped up a gear with confidence high amongst the home side and Viduka nearly doubled his side’s lead with a powerful effort which Lehmann did well to save.

However, despite enjoying copious amounts of pressure, ‘Boro were undone by the Arsenal captain as the Frenchman capped off a superb piece of classic Arsenal counter-attacking.

That goal gave the Gunners a deserved point against opponents that had fought bravely with both spirit and determination. However, Arsenal are now four points behind 3rd placed Liverpool and despite having a game in hand it will infuriate Arsene Wenger that his side were not able to take advantage of events at Merseyside.


Middlesbrough: Jones, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 46), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Viduka (Christie 90), Yakubu.

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Davies, Euell.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte (Denilson 80), Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Flamini, Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky, Adebayor (Aliadiere 86), Henry.

Subs Not Used: Djourou, Almunia, Walcott.

Att: 31,122

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

By James Masters