Second defeat in four games for Arsenal

FT Middlesbrough 2 Arsenal 1

Arsenal suffered their second defeat in the opening four games of the season after losing 2-1 at Middlesbrough.

Yakubu scored against the run of play and was then involved as Massimo Maccarone took advantage of a defensive blunder to hit the second.

Jose Antonio Reyes struck an injury-time consolation for Arsenal and also hit the post in the first half.

Wenger sent on Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie to try to conjure a comeback but it was Middlesbrough who had now seized the match by the scruff of the neck.

As the self-belief drained away from Arsenal, their touch deserted them, passes went astray and panic set in.

Yakubu would have made it a shocking 3-0 had an offside flag not intervened.

Gilberto directed a header wide as Arsenal tried to get back into it, then the Brazilian blocked a 25-yard strike from his fellow countryman Doriva.

Reyes continued to look the only Arsenal player on form with an angled drive which Schwarzer managed to turn aside, but he was not to be denied in injury-time when he swept onto a van Persie flick, rounded the keeper and scored.

Cole could have grabbed an astonishing equaliser but he stabbed wide from 18 yards.