Middlesborough 2-1 Arsenal: Turkish Delight Vanquishes Gunners

With an impressive 23-match unbeaten run in the league, the Gunners didn't think their work would be cut out for them at the Riverside, where 'Boro welcomed them with open arms.

Gareth Southgate had been feeling the heat as his side had crumbled to defeat after defeat, but thanks to the patience of the chairman, who still has faith in the youngest Premiership manager.

Even without Fabregas,Hleb and Van Persie Arsenal were still the team to beat, and the likes of Downing, Tuncay, and Rochemback knew how daunting the task of impeding the Gunners' celerity would be.

The game started bright and brilliant for Boro, who opened a seam in Arsenal's supposed invincibility when former Arsenal striker Aliadere was tripped down for a penalty. Downing audaciously slotted the ball home, giving his side a suprising lead. After their recent run of poor form, the Tee siders sensed something special from their lads and they gladly complied.

However, Arsenal were able to cause a few problems for Boro's defence, whose only objective was to get the ball away from anywhere near the box. Adebayor and Eduardo could not spark their partnership and were often frustrated in front of the goal.

At the other end, however, Toure and Gallas were bamboozled by Downing and Tuncay's aggression down the flanks, and the only reaction the defenders could have was try to disposses the Boro attackers.

The second half saw few chances created by either side, until the 73rd minute when the Turkish striker Sanli hammered home the ball from a close range following a Downing corner. Fans around the stadium were rapturous, as their squad edged ever closer to a victory against the league leaders who were apparently playing the best football in the world.

However, Arsenal was spurred on by the introduction of Walcott and Denilson, and the Boro's backline dealt an immediate scare when Theo's cross just flew over Adebayor's head, a clear chance flashing by.  

Rosicky pulled one back deep into injury time, but that was too little, too late for the Gunners to extend their lead over Manchester United now only a point a drift.

So, why did Arsenal finally crack?

It all started with a Sir Alex Ferguson's radio interview, when he predicted that Arsenal would slip sooner rather than later. While Ferguson's statement didn't promote a war of words with Wenger, it surely affected his team's morale.  This, combined with injuries brought an end to their unbeaten run.

Arsenal then had to face an Aston Villa side teeming with talent and enthusiasm, and though Villa was the better side in the game, Arsenal somehow squeaked past them. The Gunners followed with a lacklustre performance against whipping-boys Newcastle, but Magpies revealed their true colours, and snatched away two valuable points from the Gunners.

I'm not suggesting that Sir Alex is to blame, but the absence of their talisman Cesc Fabregas and prodigy Alexander Hleb was the cynosure of Arsenal's current problems. Surely, they aren't a one-man or two-man team, but things aren't exactly going in their way for the time being.

And the last thing the Gunners want right now is to face Chelsea at home. The Blues have everything to play for and with a blistering form, the North Londoners can't expect anything less than a war. A closely fought war, as Arsenal won't want lose at home and Chelsea will be looking to close the gap.

Let's see whether Arsenal can provide the sucker punch or suffer another one instead.