Arsenal numb on Wenger’s birthday

They had won their previous six league games in succession. They had scored nine goals in their last two matches. Manchester City are slowing up and Tottenham had only been able to draw at Bournemouth earlier in the day. Just when Arsenal had started to believe the stars were aligning for them again at last, this happened.

Sure, it wasn’t a defeat but a goalless draw with bottom four Middlesbrough wasn’t quite how they wanted to go to the top of the Premier League. They were lucky to get a point, too. Middlesbrough had the best player on the pitch in Adama Traore and they made the best chances. The visitors are the ones who will feel hard done by.

After their 6-0 demolition of Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League last week, this was a return to the ponderous, over-elaborate Arsenal that so often frustrates their fans. They had a late goal by Mesut Ozil correctly ruled out for offside but a late victory would have flattered them.

Arsenal have developed a nasty habit of spoiling milestones for their manager, Arsene Wenger, and this was hardly the ideal way for the boss to celebrate his 67th birthday. That takeaway in front of Match of the Day won’t have tasted quite so good after this.

Arsenal had dominated the early stages but those expecting a goal rush after the excesses of midweek were disappointed. Arsenal probed and probed but Middlesbrough packed men behind the ball, leaving Negredo alone near the half way line, and their defence stood firm.

Then, out of nowhere, Middlesbrough nearly took the lead. Ayala pumped a long ball forward, Negredo nodded it on and Traore stole in front of Koscielny. Traore bore down on goal but his shot was saved well by Cech and Negredo, presented with the rebound, could only drag his shot wide of the target.