Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough

Mar 16 2008 James Cairns Reports

ARSENE WENGER watched his troops draw their fourth league game on the trot - then insisted they can still be Premiership champions.

The Arsenal boss was upbeat despite former striker Jeremie Aliadiere hammering a dent in their title hopes with a goal that earned 10-man Boro a draw.

One-time Celtic flop Aliadiere kept his cool to sweep a lovely effort high into the net from Tuncay Sanli's cross in 25 minutes.

And although Wenger's men levelled four minutes from time when Kolo Toure's header deflected into the net off keeper Mark Schwarzer, they have now lost top spot to Manchester United on goal difference.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side also have a game in hand over the Gunners.

But a defiant Wenger said: "The spirit is there and the players are giving everything but at the moment it's not working for us.

"When you're in a race with the opponents we have, dropping eight points in four games is disappointing.

"But we have to keep our spirit and focus.

We will see at the end of the season what effect today has had.

"They defended deep and had just one shot on target which they scored so that is frustrating. Chelsea or Manchester didn't play any better than us today but they didn't concede."

Boro's afternoon was marred by a straight red for sub Mido after the Egypt international raised his boot to Gael Clichy.

The Arsenal ace had to be stretchered off with a bloodied face but Riverside gaffer Gareth Southgate reckoned ref Mark Halsey got the decision wrong.

Southgate said: "Mido didn't meant it. He kept his eye on the ball the whole time but still caught him.

"He is not a dirty player and he's absolutely distraught.

"It's a nasty injury but hopefully the ref will have a look at it as I feel the lad was trying to play the ball.

He's been to see Clichy and is disappointed the knock is so bad.

"Should he have his foot that high? Maybe not but there was no intent there and a three-game ban would be harsh."

Boro sunk Arsenal 2-1 at the Riverside earlier in the season and Southgate admitted he was delighted to make amends for their FA Cup humiliation, going down 2-0 to Cardiff last Sunday.

He said: "We were a bit of a laughing stock last weekend and lost a lot of pride.

"We dug in despite giving a lot against Aston Villa on Wednesday and showed a lot of character.

"I'm proud of how the boys performed but Arsenal deserved to get something from the game.

"We had to be very compact in the middle and defensively and the team did that brilliantly.

"There was one moment of great quality for the goal and our guys didn't get what they deserved - but nobody gave us a prayer of getting anything here. However, as I said before, having taken four points from them we weren't coming just to make up the numbers."