Picture from BBC Football
Eduardo was in the Emirates to collect his ‘Arsenal.com Player of the Month award’. But did it spur The Gunners on to get 3 points against so called ‘bogey team’, Middlesbrough?
Here’s Gunners Live match report…
First Half:
This match was built up as a title decider, and Arsenal kicked off knowing that Chelsea and Man United won their games earlier in the day.
So the pressure was on. Arsenal put on some early pressure and it counted when Emmanuel Adebayor was put through by a deflection and finished with aplomb - it was offside though. A poor decision by the Referee Mark Halsey who looked as if he was in for a tough afternoon.
Come 24 minutes, the pressure turned a little on Arsenal. A decent attack from Boro and former Fenerbache star Tuncay supplied an half volleyed cross for the ex-Arsenal player Jeremie Aliadiere who smashed it past Manuel Almunia who had no chance of getting to it.
Robert Huth and David Wheater provided tough defensive nouse and kept Adebayor and the rusty Van Persie at bay for the first 30 minutes.
Just as the half time whistle was approaching, Arsenal formed an attack which led to Emmanuel Eboue testing Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer with a decent effort. Most Gooners were hoping for something better in the second half; the question most of them were asking was would they get that?
Second Half:
Arsenal’s title bid hanged in the balance as they kicked off the second half. Arséne Wenger needed to see his side create more chances and not only that - take them as well.
George Boateng and Gary O’Neil worked tirelessly in midfield and they kept Arsenal’s central midfield duo of Flamini & Fabregas very, very quiet.
Nicklas Bendtner & Theo Walcott came on to inject some pace and energy into the team who’s title bid was getting slimmer and slimmer by the second.
Cesc Fabregas came close with two chances, the first one similar to his effort at Wigan last week, once again the goalkeeper making a brilliant save. The second chance was a downwards header which skimmed off the surface and hit the outside of Schwarzer’s post - close for Arsenal, but not close enough.
Then, Eboue won a corner for Arsenal. Fabregas curled the ball into the area, and as Kolo Toure made a late run into the box, the Ivorian buried a header past Mark Schwarzer which had a helping hand from Andrew Taylor who was standing on the post.
The closing moments produced wave after wave of Arsenal attacks, but instead of a goal, Gael Clichy was studded in the head by former Tottenham player Mido. The sending off was of course a correct decision from the Referee who had a poor game with some poor decisions.
This enthralling game was coming to an end, and as Arsenal got a last second corner, the Ref blew his whistle and The Gunners dropped to second in the league. Now, the title bid hangs in balance for Arsenal, Man United need to slip up soon or the Premier League trophy is staying at Old Trafford.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Bendtner 61), Toure, Gallas, Clichy (Senderos 89), Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Van Persie (Walcott 61).
Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Silva.
Other Premier League Results:
Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea
Liverpool 2-1 Reading
West Ham 2-1 Blackburn
Portsmouth 2-0 Aston Villa
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Posted by Gooner Chris
