Middlesbrough vs Arsenal
Match pulse
MIDAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Arsenal 4-0
Arsenal beat Middlesbrough 4-0 on Sunday, August 24, 2003 at The Riverside Stadium. Goals for Arsenal: Thierry Henry (5'), Gilberto Silva (13') and Sylvain Wiltord (22', 60').
Play by play
- 92'
For Steve McLaren the fact that Arsenal were just too much for his team will be scant conciliation, he has much work to do to if he wants to challenge for European places this season - perhaps Mendieta and Mills will provide much needed steel and flair, but don't hold your breath
- 92'
But full credit to the Championship hopefuls, they travel back to London with a four goal haul and are joint top of the table with Manchester United.
- 92'
At times Arsenal played with guile, power and passion - but they soon realised the game was won and relaxed in the second half producing a less than exciting finale.
- 92'
Thankfully ref blows the final whistle and the game is brought to an end - even though as a real contest it was over before half time
- 90'
A disappointing performance by the Boro players has been reflected in the stands today with the Riverside as quiet as the Highbury library
- 89'
Just two minutes of added time are announced as Mendieta leaves his seat in the stands - he has seen enought, and who can blame him for escaping the final moments
- 88'
A half chance for Juninho who recieved the ball from Christie but it is cleared and nearly results in scoring chance for Arsenal at the other end
- 87'
One of the few plus points for Boro has been the performance of Davies who has looked like a decent prospect.
- 86'
This game may not be officially over, but Arsenal are no longer interested in the contest they won in the first 25 minutes
- 85'
Substitution for the home side who bring on another youngster, Stewart Downing, for Nemeth
- 84'
Boateng clips in a nice ball to the back post - but little Juninho has no chance of winning a header against Campbell.
- 83'
Wright puts Schwarzer under unnecessary pressure with a back pass that could easily have resulted in a fifth for Arsenal
- 82'
A few ironic calls from the fans of both teams as Boro manage to string togeher a few passes
- 81'
Southgate gets away with a slip at the back - lucky as Henry was ready to capitalise on the error
- 80'
Ten minutes left, plus stoppage time, which there will be plenty of after the injuries to Riggott, Boateng and Cole
- 79'
Henry pounces on a slack ball in the middle of the pitch - but he is soon playing an errant pass which leads to an offside decision against Nemeth
- 78'
Cole on the left for Arsenal gets the ball to the opposite wing for Parlour who clips a great ball over the Boro defenders, but Henry can't quite reach it
- 76'
Juninho not impressed with his luck today decides a change of boots is in order
- 75'
The kick is scrambled clear and Arsenal have it once again.
- 75'
Juninho skins two Arsenal defenders and fire in a low curling shot which Lehman just turns round the post for a corner
- 74'
Triple subsitution for Arsenal. Off go Pires, Wiltord and Ljungberg and on come Parlour, Bergkamp and Edu
- 73'
The kick is lofted in, but it comes to no avail. The cynic might suggest that Boro are only getting these chances because Arsenal have taken their foot off the gas
- 72'
Good fighting spirit from Boro who are playing for pride - they win a corner
- 71'
A scramble on the edge of the Gunners' box nearly presents an opening for Nemeth
- 70'
It looks like Ray Parlour and Dennis Bergkamp will be joining the fray shortly - both readying themselves on the bench
Leaders
MIDARS 
