Arsenal lose further ground in title race after Boro draw
Jeremie Aliadiere levelled for Boro
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Saturday, 13, Dec 2008 08:08
Arsenal have lost further ground on the league leaders in the chase for the Premier League title after being held to a 1-1 draw away to Middlesbrough.
Emmanuel Adebayor scored the Gunners' opener as they dominated the first 20 minutes of the game but after Middlesbrough equalised against the run the home side were much more competitive.
Robin van Persie had two excellent chances to grab all three points for the Gunners but former Arsenal man Jeremie Aliadiere's first-half header was enough to earn Boro a draw.
Arsenal started brightest of the two sides with van Persie going close early on before Abou Diaby forced a save from Ross Turnbull.
The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes when Adebayor found himself with acres of room at a corner and he was able to powerfully head home Cesc Fabregas' cross.
Turnbull was forced into another save as Diaby got an effort on goal from another corner as Boro's defence went missing for a second time.
It was therefore against the run of play when Boro equalised. Tuncay pounced on a loose ball down the right flank and without looking volleyed a cross into the box.
Aliadiere produced a diving header from six yards out to meet the bullet cross and gave Manuel Almunia no chance from close-range.
Boro took the initiative to Arsenal for the rest of the half and looked threatening but it was van Persie who had a chance to add to the scoreboard just before the break.
Adebayor got to the byline and cut a cross back but the Dutchman stumbled as the ball reached him meaning the scores remained level at half time.
After the break Arsenal re-established their dominance and enjoyed the majority of territory and possession – although Boro always seemed dangerous on the counter-attack through Stewart Downing and Tuncay.
It was Boro who created the first chance of the second period as Julio Arca found Downing with a long ball but Almunia saved the midfielder's goal-bund effort.
Van Persie the wasted two good chances for the Gunners, blazing his first effort wide and his second high over the crossbar.
Nicklas Bendtner came on in the closing stages and almost snatched a winner but Turnbull was able to beat away his shot at the font post.
The Gunners will hope to close the gap to the leaders when they face Liverpool next weekend.