By Andy Morgan
February 4 2007

Boro went into this game hoping to build on their unbeaten record in January. But it would not be easy - Arsenal were unbeaten in eight and would provide the strongest test yet to Middlesbrough's 2007 record.
Middlesbrough had a major boost with the return of Mark Viduka in attack. He was to partner Yakubu in a 4-4-2 formation.

Mark Schwarzer, who missed Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Fratton Park, was absent once more - with Brad Jones retaining the gloves.

Apart from that it was as you were - with Abel Xavier at right-back, Andrew Taylor left and Jonathan Woodgate and Emmanuel Pogatetz at the heart of the defence.

The midfield consisted of Lee Cattermole on the right, Stewart Downing on the left, with George Boateng and Julio Arca in the middle.

Jones, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 46), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Viduka (Christie 90), Yakubu, Turnbull, Davies, Euell

THE FIRST HALF

Mark Viduka showed his class in the opening minute, dinking a delicious ball to Stewart Downing who ran onto it. Unfortunately the England international could not cut it back after the Arsenal back-line recovered.

Middlesbrough were dominating the opening exchanges - Mark Viduka being ruled offside causing consternation in the dug-out being one such example of the home side's ascendancy.

Arsenal won a few corners but their efforts broke down before anything presented itself. A Downing free-kick on nine did very little apart from hit the Arsenal wall, probably dislodging the poor sod's contact lenses, affecting his performance for the rest of the game.

On ten the crowd booed at an offside decision that was made against Arca. Arsenal broke from the melee and forced a corner, from which nothing resulted, except more booing from the crowd.

Middlesbrough were still driving proceedings, with Stewart Downing being particularly penetrating down the left flank. Arsenal, meanwhile, were somewhat out of sorts, misplacing passes. Boro had not really tested the visitors with any goal attempts at this stage however - and they needed to take advantage of Arsenal's sloppiness.

Arsenal's main threat was Gayle Clichy, who was tormenting the Boro with the overlap. On twenty however it was still very much as you were - with Arsenal's flagrancy contrary to Boro's neat passing play. Unfortunately, unlike a depressive wasp trying to slay itself, Boro were showing no final sting.

The first meaningful shot on goal came from Tomasz Rosicky on thirty. A poor clearance from Woodgate fell to the Czech midfielder and he, from range, launched a shot across Brad Jones' goal. Jones flung himself at it but it went wide.

Arsenal were starting to come into their own, their passing game restored. After some decent movement, the ball fell to Thierry Henry who looked for placement as opposed to power in his shot. Jones did well to hold on to it - with Cesc Fabregas sniffing around like a horny dog on heat, reading Heat (apparently Jade Goody is a little bit sad).

The Gunners were running more than a nervous keep-fit fanatic with a bowel problem, and causing more problems than if laxatives had been secretly placed into the fanatic's Typhoo. But the shooting wasn't there - Clichy launching a long-range shot that did little to trouble the home side.

The Boro came out on thirty-nine - a poor Cattermole ball to Boateng grinding that move to a halt. Adebayor had a tame effort on forty that Jones comfortably collected. Things had been easy for both goalkeepers thus far, but like a snail in the mating season, Arsenal were starting to come out of their shell. Only with less mess. For now. Things, however, could start to get messy for Boro.

As the first half died, so did my interest. The game was one of good passing but little penetration - shots limited to long range efforts that didn't really go anywhere. But it was still a positive situation for Boro - all they had to do was to keep it going in the second half.

THE SECOND HALF

Boro made one change at half-time - substituting Lee Cattermole for James Morrison. From the off Downing attacked Arsenal but his cross did not come to anything and Arsenal cleared.

Boro started the half lively, with Downing and Taylor orchestrating things. In contrast, Arsenal were ragged at the back but a break from the visitors almost let Adebayor in, until Arca put in a covering challenge.

On forty-seven Viduka launched a powerful shot at goal that did not trouble Jens Lehmann. Indeed Viduka was causing problems for Arsenal, forcing them into some last-ditch defending. However Boro were also ushered down the alley of last-chance reprieves when Taylor slid in to deny Adebayor after a flowing Arsenal move cut through Middlesbrough's midfield.

On the hour Viduka flicked the ball to Yakubu, who rushed into the penalty box when perhaps he should have shot. Senderos wrapped his arm around the Nigerian and saw a straight red as Yakubu hit the deck. Mike Riley awarded Boro a penalty - even though the offence occurred outside the area. Yakubu set the ball on the penalty spot and sent Lehmann the wrong way. The Boro were in the lead.

MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (Yakubu (pen), 61) ARSENAL 0

A great ball from Mark Viduka set James Morrison off but his cross was not penetrative enough in front of goal. Mark Viduka led a further break on sixty-five as Boro, their increased number, flooded forward with confidence. And the ball!

A great ball from Downing on sixty-seven resulted in a Yakubu push and hence an Arsenal free-kick. The ball from Pogatetz was half-decent but Yakubu felt he needed to use his weight against the Arsenal back-line.

On sixty-nine Morrison opted to cross when perhaps he should have shot. He dropped his shoulder and darted into the box, eventually passing to Arca. The former Sunderland man's ball was not a strong one and Carlo Toure cleared.

Middlesbrough were very much in the ascendancy - the extra man telling. On seventy-two Mark Viduka failed to outfox Clichy but the Australian was tenacious, getting up from his stumbles on not one but two occasions. It was hardly worth the eventual result - a throw-in.

On seventy-five Viduka got the ball with his back to goal. He turned it, and hit a fierce shot towards the left hand of the goal. Lehmann produced a world-class save, turning Viduka's effort around the post for a corner.

Arsenal counter-attacked from the corner and the ball broke to Henry at the other end. A long ball was headed on to Adebayor and he flicked it on to the Frenchman. Henry rounded Jones and made no mistake, scoring the equaliser for Arsenal (and his 756th goal against Middlesbrough). Boro meanwhile were more concerned about whether Lehmann handled the ball outside the area.

MIDDLESBROUGH 1 ARSENAL 1 (Henry, 77)

Boro were not disheartened. On seventy-nine Viduka looped a ball over the bar from a Downing cross. At the other end Cesc Fabregas had a long-range effort that did nothing but amuse the home crowd.

Middlesbrough were gunning for the winner - and getting a myriad of throw-ins in return. Arsenal, meanwhile, were ragged - and acutely aware of the need to pick up three points at the Riverside to aid their slim title aspirations.

On eighty-nine Pogatetz saved Middlesbrough's blushes after an expert last minute challenge on Jeremie Aliadiere as he threatened to be clean through. This came from exactly the same set of circumstances as Arsenal's goal - a long ball punted down after Boro had over-committed at the other end.

A minute later a Rosicky snatched shot did not trouble Jones.

Boro were still searching for the winner - with Downing leading the charge. Arsenal defended well however and frustrated the home fans. In order to frustrate Arsenal, Malcolm Christie came on for Mark Viduka - with about thirty seconds left.

And that was it. Boro's unbeaten start to 2007 continued but disappointment was the main order of the day. With their dominance, Boro should have won this - but a point against Arsenal is still a worthy one. Boro could now go to Chelsea with confidence.

FULL TIME FAN REACTION

"Happy/Disappointed…hmm"
Boro 1876

"Well done, you deserved more"
Westham