Premiership: Pires levels scores at Highbury

Arsenal 1, Middlesbrough 1 (latest)

A 25-yard shot by Robert Pires has levelled the score at Highbury between Arsenal and Middlesbrough after 55 minutes.

Noel Whelan pounced on a ghastly error by Sol Campbell to give Middlesbrough a surprise 21st-minute lead at Highbury.

Goalkeeper Mark Crossley pulled off a wonder save to keep out Robert Pires on 42 minutes but dour defending enabled Boro to retain their lead at the interval after Campbell, goalscoring hero against Chelsea on St Stephen's Day, blundered to let Whelan finish off a rare advance upfield by the visitors.

Henry fired wide and Ljungberg was also just off target as Arsenal kept up the attack but resolute Boro defending continued to frustrate them.

Then when Vieira’s foul gave Boro a 34th-minute free kick 25 yards out Carlos Marinelli curled it around the wall and gave Taylor a difficult save to make at the foot of a post.

Van Bronckhorst was well over the top with a volley from the edge of the area in Arsenal’s next attack which came up against eight Boro players lined up along the edge of the box.

And when Ehiogu led a break-out seconds later, Cole’s foul on Marinelli produced another Boro free kick which Queudrue lifted only just over the bar from 20 yards.

Henry again found no takers in the box after another penetrating run down the right in the 41st minute but it took a magnificent save by Crossley to prevent Pires equalising a minute later.

The Frenchman slipped clear on the left to take Cole’s through pass but Crossley brilliantly pushed his angled shot onto the far post and away. Ljungberg’s follow-up drive flashed wide.