Middlesbrough 1 Arsenal 1
It took the seeing of red for Senderos to galvanise Arsenal. Up until then, it had been a fairly flat performance.
Wenger chose a defensive option from the start selecting Flamini on the right to double up with Hoyte on Downing. After the left-footed winger played havoc with Bolton in the last home game. Walcott was on the bench.
Downing was set up down the left at the start. Clichy cut out the cross.
Clichy then set up Henry who volleyed but was offside.
Two or three Boro players were on Fabregas as soon as he had the ball. The Spaniard looked tired after 36 or so games this season.
Toure had a difficult self-created chance from a corner, but hit wide.
Henry put a superb bending free kick in, which Toure just missed with his head at the far post.
Rosicky set himself up with a chance shifting it quickly for a right foot shot – past the post.
After a long spell of possession, Henry sidefooted towards goal but Jones saved.
Woodgate made a couple of defensive saving tackles.
Viduka lead with an elbow on Toure‘s chin. Riley for all the world looked as if he was bringing out a red – but he yellowed it.
Clichy shot wide after bursting from the left. Boro seemed to concentrate on restricting Arsenal than going for the win.
They looked energised after the break. Toure and Gilberto did some sterling defensive work in the Arsenal penalty area. Hoyte did some good chasing back showing his speed and recovery power.
Viduka could have opened the scoring after Toure slipped. But he missed the far post.
The major incident, on 63 minutes, saw Senderos get wrong side from a Viduka head-on. He brushed his arm on Yakubu’s shoulder outside the area, but the Nigerian fell in the box. With a regimental ref like Riley, and the crowd beying for ‘justice’, you can’t give him opportunities like that. Red card and penalty.
The far linesman could see directly there was no contact in the area – but there was no consultation with Riley. Video evidence could have meant two more points for Arsenal. Nevertheless, Arsenal fans worry about the sporadic vulnerability of Senderos. On this occasion he got himself too square-on and never recovered.
Yakubu sent Lehmann, who was booked for protesting, the wrong way. The 37 year-old German, subject of much press speculation today about whether he will stay with another year’s contract, dived to save goal as Viduka rolled Gilberto and fired towards the bottom corner.
Henry had the bit between his teeth, supported predominantly by Rosicky and Adebayor.
Viduka could have made it 2-0, when he drifted between Gilberto and Toure and put his ‘free’ header over.
With thirteen minutes to go, Toure lobbed it into the Boro area from Lehmann‘s throw, Adebayor leapt, the ball coming off his shoulder to Henry, who controlled it with his right and drove it low and hard across Jones with his left.
Aliadiere (on for Adebayor) could have made a difference, nearly through on Jones, but Pogatetz caught the ball just in time.
With Denilson on for Hoyte, Arsenal still went for the win – the nearest they came was when Rosicky turned sharply and shot just past Jones‘ upright.
Someone remarked recently that Arsenal have changed their style, putting far more crosses into the box than have ever done. The last two games, they have come from behind using Route One.
That goes with their increasing resilience – coming back for the eleventh time from behind this season – more than any other Premiership team. Or with the stylish Denilson and Gilberto there with Baptista to come should we say increasing Brazilience.
Wenger said: “We were 1-0 down, with 10 men and extra time on Wednesday. At eleven v eleven we could have won the game in last 20 minutes.
“When players come back we can rotate a bit more.
On Senderos: “It was shoulder v shoulder, Yakuba went down in the box. We were slowly taking over and could have won the game.
“Every game is vital. The youngsters learn quickly.
On Lehmann potentially leaving at the end of the season: “There’s no bigger professional than Jens Lehmann – no matter what happens.”
Gareth Southgate was asked how it felt to lose versus 10 men, said: ” Err, we didn’t lose, but they feel down in there. It was the manner of their goal – we shouldn’t have conceeded.”
Jonathan Woodgate said: “We feel like we dropped two points. Lehmann made a great save.”
Yakubu said: “He didn’t touch me but fortunately we had the penalty.”
Arsenal: Lehmann, Senderos, Clichy, Toure, Hoyte (Denilson 80), Fabregas, Flamini, Gilberto, Rosicky, Adebayor ( Aliadiere 86), Henry. Subs not used: Almunia, Djourou, Walcott
Middlesbrough: Jones, Pogatetz, Woodgate, Xavier, Arca, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 45), Boateng, Downing Yakubu, Viduka (Christie 90). Subs not used:Turnbull, Davies, Euell
Referee: Mike (Robber) Riley