Arsenal held to draw by Boro

Arsenal 1 Middlesborough 1

Arsenal’s quest for a first Barclays Premiership win of the season continued as 10-man Middlesbrough earned a point at the Emirates Stadium.

James Morrison had put the visitors ahead in the first half with a neat finish.

However, Boro saw captain George Boateng dismissed on the hour for a second yellow card having been booked moment before after protesting at a free-kick for Arsenal.

Thierry Henry soon levelled from the penalty spot, but Arsenal could not find a winner and meant this was their worst start to a Premier League campaign.

The Gunners had started brightly enough, forcing a succession of early corners, from one of which Gilberto glanced a backwards header across the face of goal.

On 10 minutes, Henry made Mark Schwarzer produce a decent save down to his right after cutting inside and releasing a curling effort from 18 yards.

Middlesbrough beat Chelsea before the international break, but then also lost their second match of the campaign, 4-0 at home to Portsmouth.

Manager Gareth Southgate opted to pack the midfield this afternoon, but in doing so restricted his team’s attacking options.

After 19 minutes, Freddie Ljungberg’s close-range effort was blocked by Boro debutant Jonathan Woodgate – and Schwarzer then made a fine save at his near post to kept out Alexander Hleb’s fierce drive from the loose ball.

But it was Boro who took a shock lead on 21 minutes.

Morrison made progress down the right, getting the better of William Gallas, making his first appearance since a deadline-day transfer from Chelsea.

He played a neat one-two with Jason Euell on the edge of the Arsenal area.

The Boro youngster continued his run, and dispatched a cool finish under Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal had now trailed in each of their three Premiership matches.

The hosts, however, were soon pressing again, patiently waiting for an opportunity on goal.

Arsenal should have been level 18 minutes before half-time.

Emmanuel Eboue got into the right side of the Boro area and cut the ball back into the path of Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman, though, somehow managed to stab the ball wide.

Emanuel Pogatetz was then cautioned for clattering into Hleb.

Van Persie, on target for Holland during the international break, took the 25-yard free-kick and forced Schwarzer to punch his effort over.

Arsenal worked the ball across the edge of the Boro area through Eboue and Hleb, with the lively van Persie just unable to cut a shot back on goal at the far post.

It was all Arsenal now, as Cesc Fabregas drilled in a low effort which Schwarzer needed two attempts before gathering the ball.

Gilberto stretched at the far post and almost diverted in Hleb’s pass as the Gunners continued to dominate.

In stoppage time, Schwarzer touched Fabregas’ drive around the post.

Arsenal soon settled at the start of the second half, and were pressing again.

However, the home side could still not make the most of possession around the Boro penalty area.

Davies, who had been booked earlier, was playing a dangerous game as he was called up for pushing Ljungberg over, and was given a stern talking to by referee Styles.

Pogatetz then bundled over van Persie, handing Arsenal a free-kick 25 yards out in a central position.

With Schwarzer still lining up his wall, Henry took it quickly and his curling effort only just missed the far corner.

Styles had enough of Boro’s protests, as he issued a yellow card to Boateng, with Euell also making his thoughts clear.

The referee was soon reaching for his pocket again.

Boateng then went flying into Ljungberg just in front of the dug-out, and ended up in a heap on the floor himself, needing treatment.

The referee immediately ran over and produced a yellow card for the Boro captain, followed by a red.

Southgate was incensed, his captain eventually carried off on a stretcher.

And things got worse for the Boro manager with 23 minutes left.

Eboue darted into the right side of the area, and was caught by Stewart Downing as the England man slid in.

Styles pointed to the spot, with Henry making no mistake.

Arsenal were clearly lifted by their equaliser, and went all out for a winner, Schwarzer beating away substitute Tomas Rosicky’s effort with 12 minutes left.

Henry whipped a free-kick just over the crossbar, but the winner just would not come.