Middlesbrough against Arsenal

Yakubu takes the ball in to the corner, and forces Lauren to put the ball out. Corner.

Arsenal have been unable to fashion any sort of opening in the second half; Boro have worked very hard and are reaping the rewards.

Bergkamp throws the ball in to the near post, but Gilberto's flick is well wide of the post.

Reyes wins a free-kick when he is pushed by Parlour on the left wing.

Arsenal are still desperately trying to get themselves back in to the match, though the Boro defence is soaking up everything they can offer.

Boro have done a great job of protecting Schwarzer's goal in this second half; he hasn't had a save to make since the break.

Arsenal really seem to have missed Henry this evening; they are half the team with out the Frenchman up front.

Replays show that Fabregas landed on his side, and he might have had the wind taken out of his sails. His back on his feet, and in to the action. Emergency over.

Fabregas is down injured after a bad fall following a challenge for a header. He looks to be in some pain; it was a nasty, awkward landing by the youngster.

SUB: Maccarone off, Doriva on. Another defensive change from McClaren as he attempts to see out this game and claim three valuable points.

Bergkamp can't pick out Van Persie's run in behind the Boro defence, and Schwarzer collects. The visitors seem unable to get near the Boro goal at the moment.

Yakubu is caught narrowly off-side when he sprints on to Rochemback's through-ball; Cygan has been something of a liability with his positioning this evening.

Reyes almost releases Van Persie down the left wing, but Queudrue shows good pace and committment to get across and put the ball out.

Boro are content to keep hold of the ball following the corner, and they are doing a great job of keeping possession and frustrating Arsenal further.

Cygan is pressurised in to giving away a cheap corner.

Rochemback has had an impressive debut, and he is beginning to stamp his authority now that the game is approaching its conclusion; he looks to be a good signing.

Rochemback is booked for a late challenge on Fabregas. The two embrace; they are friends from their time at Barcelona.

Arsenal don't really look as though they're going to get back in to the match; since the second Boro goal, they have created nothing.

SUB: Pires off, Van Persie on. Pires has been one of Arsenal's better players, but his is replaced by young Dutchman Van Persie.

Gilberto clears the danger from the free-kick, lofted in towards Xavier in the middle.

The linesman awards a free-kick to Boro after Maccarone had his shirt pulled as he weaved his way in to the penalty area.

Fabregas is booked for disagreeing with Riley's decision to award a free-kick to Boro after a clash between Rochemback and Hleb.

Lauren brings down Pogatetz and is booked by the referee. It wasn't a pretty challenge, and it came from behind the Austrian. Riley had no choice but to show the fifth yellow of the match.

Arsenal are playing so narrow that Boro are finding it fairly easy to defend against; they simply pack the central channel, knowing that the ball will rarely go wide.

SUB: Pogatetz replaces Johnson. McClaren brings off his young winger and sends on a defender. Johnson has played well this evening, but Boro are looking to close this game out.

Bergkamp is adjudged to have fouled Queudrue as they tustled to get on the end of Cole's deep cross in to the area.

Arsenal are looking very frustrated and are giving away plenty of niggly fouls.

Fabregas has come on to replace Flamini in the centre of the Arsenal midfield; a like-for-like replacement.

Arsenal will be livid; they have dominated possession and had more chances than their hosts, but have managed nothing. Boro look to be on the way to kick-starting their season.

Arsenal were still angry that they didn't win a penalty when Hleb was barged by Xavier when Maccarone stunned them with that second goal.

GOAL! Cygan's mistake from Schwarzer's enormous kick leaves Maccarone in the clear and the young Italian striker places the ball past Lehmann.

Hleb is tugged by Xavier as he attempts to break in to the penalty area, though his claims for a penalty fall on deaf ears.

Wenger is looking increasingly aggitated on the Arsenal bench; surely he can't afford to lose two of the opening four matches of the season?

Flamini is booked when he blocks Boateng's attempts to take a quick free-kick.

Xavier is another player impressing on his debut; he is showing great committment and putting himself about.

Hleb releases Lauren with a good ball out to the right wing, but the full-back's low cross is cut out inside the penalty area.

Hleb collects the ball and cuts in from the right wing, but his attempted pass through to Gilberto is over-hit and runs out of play.

Oooh! Johnson volleys a right-foot shot goalwards as he gets on the end of a poor Arsenal touch inside the area, but Lehmann is down to save.

Oooh! A great passing move by Boro ends when Maccarone lays the ball back to Yakubu, who's shot is brilliantly turned around the post by Lehmann.

Yakubu relieves some of the pressure on his back four when he wins a free-kick on the half-way line.

Oooh! Cole bursts in to the penalty area but Southgate slides in to block his shot as the full-back closed in on goal.

Reyes almost releases Flamini inside the penalty area with a good touch, but Southgate stands firm.

Arsenal are searching for a way through this deep Boro defence, but they are playing very narrow and are finding it difficult.

Arsenal enjoy a good spell with the ball in the Boro third, but the home side have got a lot of bodies back defending and Arsenal can't find a way through.

Cole is booked for a clumsy challenge on Maccarone. The free-kick is flighted towards Yakubu but Cygan defends well.

Johnson is certainly growing in confidence as the game is going on; he is very similar in style to Downing; pacey and tricky and willing to get his crosses in early.

Van Persie is warming up on the sidelines as Wenger weighs up his options.

Maccarone wins his side a throw. Johnson almost weaves his way through the Arsenal defence, but Toure comes across to tackle.

Arsenal kick off the second half.

No changes at half-time, for either side. Arsenal are the first team out, and they look hungry to make ammends in this second half.

HALF-TIME: Yakubu's first Boro goal puts the home side in front at half-time. Arsenal will be so frustrated.

Yakubu fires a left-foot shot over the bar after sprinting on to Johnson's pass, though the linesman raises his flag for off-side anyway.

The Boro fans have really come to life since the goal; they are getting behind their side and cheering every pass and tackle.

Arsenal will be amazed that they find themselves a goal behind - Boro went ahead from their first shot on goal.

Oooh! Rochemback smashes a 40-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the post, although Lehmann did have it covered.

Boro are certainly fortunate to be in front, although they can be proud of the way they rode the early Arsenal storm and gradually got themselves back in to the match.

That is Yakubu's first Boro goal since his move from Portsmouth in the summer. Great finish from the edge of the penalty area.

GOAL! Yakubu holds off Toure on the edge of the area, spins and buries a right-foot shot past Lehmann.

Johnson loses the ball from the corner, and Reyes sprints up-field on a counter-attack. He cuts inside from the right wing and fires in a low shot, but Schwarzer saves easily.

Gilberto tackles Johnson on the left wing, but Boro win a corner when the ball spins behind.

Cygan gives away a free-kick on the right touchline when Rochemback collapses to the turf with a blood-curdling scream.

Bergkamp makes a great run down the right channel, and a good touch brings him goalwards, though he has little support and Boro win possession back.

Yakubu throws himself to the ground as he tries to get past Lauren, though the referee gives nothing. The giant Boro striker went down very easily.

Arsenal deal with the corner very well and launch an immediate counter-attack, though Southgate shows good strength to rob Reyes on the left wing.

Oooh! Nice football from Boro, with Rochemback finding Xavier out on the right wing. He beats Cole and sends a cross to the far post, where Yakubu wins a corner when his header is deflected behind.

Great tracking back from Boateng as he gets in a tackle on Gilberto, who was sprinting at the heart of the Boro defence.

The Boro fans seem to be getting a little frustrated too; there have been rumblings from the stands that McClaren is too defensive in his approach.

Yakubu seems a little isolated, stuck up front on his own. Maccarone is doing his best to drift in from the right, but otherwise Boro aren't committing many players forward.

Arsenal have had six shots on goal so far, while Boro have yet to register an attempt.

Oooh! Great skill from Reyes out on the left wing as he flicks the ball through Xavier's legs and crosses low to Bergkamp, though his first-time shot flies over the bar.

The pace of the game has slowed considerably since Arsenal led a frantic opening. That will suit Boro, who desperately need something from this match.

Pires seems to have something of a roaming role this evening; he is popping up all over the pitch at the moment.

Superb pass from Southgate to Maccarone on the right wing, and Boro win a corner when Cole stumbles and puts the ball behind.

Wenger is very animated on the Arsenal bench, perhaps animated that his side did not capitalise on their strong start to the match.

Boro are gradually getting back in to the match. They are enjoying a good spell; keeping the ball, playing with a better tempo and working hard when they lose possession.

Cole gets a vital touch on a Queudrue cross that was heading towards Maccarone on the back post. Middlesbrough throw.

Hleb brings down Rochemback just inside the Arsenal half. Queudrue breaks free down the left from the free-kick, but his cross towards Maccarrone on the back post is under-hit.

A sensational touch and turn from Bergkamp almost sets him free, but Ehiogu pulls the veteran Dutchman back. Free-kick, and the Boro defender is fortunate not to be booked.

Finally a decision goes Boro's way when Hleb seems to be fouled on the edge of the penalty area, though referee Riley waves play-on.

Boro are very strong in the challenge, though I'm not sure whether that is down to determination and resolve, or anger and frustration.

Queudrue is booked for a late challenge from behind on Bergkamp on the half-way line. All the referee's decisions are going Arsenal's way at the moment.

Boateng is booked as he tugs at Hleb's shirt as the Arsenal midfielder tried to sprint free down the right wing.

Johnson takes the corner, left-footed, in towards the back post, but it is far too long and Arsenal attempt to launch a swift counter.

This time Yakubu does win his side a corner when his cross is deflected behing by Cole.

Yakubu thinks he has won a corner when he is tackled in the corner by Toure, though the referee points to a goal-kick. The fans are furious.

Schwarzer punches the corner clear, and Yakubu shows great control and strength to mount a counter-attack, though Bergkamp - of all people - sprints back to tackle and end the danger.

Toure strikes the free-kick, but it is deflected wide for another Arsenal corner.

Arsenal win a free-kick 30 yards out after Xavier slides in on Bergkamp. The new signing is furious with the referee.

Boro have been terrible in defence in the opening minutes; they look so nervous and disorganised.

Oooh! Southgate has plenty time to clear the corner, curled in to the back post, but the former England man horribly slices his kick and Arsenal win another corner.

Oooh! Pires sprints on to Reyes' through ball, but Southgate slides in to put the ball out for a corner as the Arsenal man was about to shoot.

Queudrue sends a high cross in to the penalty area, though Lehmann comes out and claims well.

Xavier finds Johnson with a great ball out to the left wing, but the youngster stumbles as he runs at Lauren and the move breaks down.

Bergkamp takes the free-kick, though referee Riley insists he takes it again; he says he hadn't blown his whistle. When the set-piece is eventually taken, Pires latches on to a half-clearance but blasts his shot over the bar.

Maccarone brings down Reyes just outside the left side of the Boro penalty area. Reyes has started this game very brightly.

Reyes should probably have done better with that effort. He was wonderfully picked out by Hleb's pass in to the area, and the young Spaniard had time to pick his spot.

Oooh! Reyes strikes the post with a left-foot shot from 12 yards after a lovely passing move from Arsenal. Boro are all over the place at the moment.

Maccarone looks desperate to impress McClaren after spending a season out on loan last year. He seems to be starting on the left wing, but is drifting inside when he can.

Boro look very nervous and tentative; Arsenal are swarming all over the man on the ball and really putting the home side under pressure.

Oooh! Early warning for Boro as Reyes robs Ehiogu on the edge of his penalty area and fires a low shot goalwards, which Schwarzer does well to save.

Boro kick off. Rochemback gets an early touch of the ball. His nickname, I'm told, is The Terminator.

Great atmosphere inside the Riverside as Boro bid to end an awful start to the season. Arsenal need a victory to keep up with Chelsea's 100% start to the season.

Steve McClaren hands three players their Premiership debuts: new signings Abel Xavier and Fabio Rochemback, and Adam Johnson, an 18-year-old who is Boro's latest youth academy product, replaces the injured Downing on the left wing.

Dennis Bergkamp takes over the captaincy, with Jose Antonio Reyes the main striker.

Arsenal are missing Thierry Henry after he picked up a groin strain whilst playing for France on Wednesday.

Rochemback has had an impressive debut, and he is beginning to stamp his authority now that the game is approaching its conclusion; he looks to be a good signing.

Rochemback is booked for a late challenge on Fabregas. The two embrace; they are friends from their time at Barcelona.

Arsenal don't really look as though they're going to get back in to the match; since the second Boro goal, they have created nothing.

SUB: Pires off, Van Persie on. Pires has been one of Arsenal's better players, but his is replaced by young Dutchman Van Persie.

Gilberto clears the danger from the free-kick, lofted in towards Xavier in the middle.

The linesman awards a free-kick to Boro after Maccarone had his shirt pulled as he weaved his way in to the penalty area.

Fabregas is booked for disagreeing with Riley's decision to award a free-kick to Boro after a clash between Rochemback and Hleb.

Lauren brings down Pogatetz and is booked by the referee. It wasn't a pretty challenge, and it came from behind the Austrian. Riley had no choice but to show the fifth yellow of the match.

Arsenal are playing so narrow that Boro are finding it fairly easy to defend against; they simply pack the central channel, knowing that the ball will rarely go wide.

SUB: Pogatetz replaces Johnson. McClaren brings off his young winger and sends on a defender. Johnson has played well this evening, but Boro are looking to close this game out.

Bergkamp is adjudged to have fouled Queudrue as they tustled to get on the end of Cole's deep cross in to the area.

Arsenal are looking very frustrated and are giving away plenty of niggly fouls.

Fabregas has come on to replace Flamini in the centre of the Arsenal midfield; a like-for-like replacement.

Arsenal will be livid; they have dominated possession and had more chances than their hosts, but have managed nothing. Boro look to be on the way to kick-starting their season.

Arsenal were still angry that they didn't win a penalty when Hleb was barged by Xavier when Maccarone stunned them with that second goal.

GOAL! Cygan's mistake from Schwarzer's enormous kick leaves Maccarone in the clear and the young Italian striker places the ball past Lehmann.

Hleb is tugged by Xavier as he attempts to break in to the penalty area, though his claims for a penalty fall on deaf ears.

Wenger is looking increasingly aggitated on the Arsenal bench; surely he can't afford to lose two of the opening four matches of the season?

Flamini is booked when he blocks Boateng's attempts to take a quick free-kick.

Xavier is another player impressing on his debut; he is showing great committment and putting himself about.

Hleb releases Lauren with a good ball out to the right wing, but the full-back's low cross is cut out inside the penalty area.

Hleb collects the ball and cuts in from the right wing, but his attempted pass through to Gilberto is over-hit and runs out of play.

Oooh! Johnson volleys a right-foot shot goalwards as he gets on the end of a poor Arsenal touch inside the area, but Lehmann is down to save.

Oooh! A great passing move by Boro ends when Maccarone lays the ball back to Yakubu, who's shot is brilliantly turned around the post by Lehmann.

Yakubu relieves some of the pressure on his back four when he wins a free-kick on the half-way line.

Oooh! Cole bursts in to the penalty area but Southgate slides in to block his shot as the full-back closed in on goal.

Reyes almost releases Flamini inside the penalty area with a good touch, but Southgate stands firm.

Arsenal are searching for a way through this deep Boro defence, but they are playing very narrow and are finding it difficult.

Arsenal enjoy a good spell with the ball in the Boro third, but the home side have got a lot of bodies back defending and Arsenal can't find a way through.

Cole is booked for a clumsy challenge on Maccarone. The free-kick is flighted towards Yakubu but Cygan defends well.

Johnson is certainly growing in confidence as the game is going on; he is very similar in style to Downing; pacey and tricky and willing to get his crosses in early.

Van Persie is warming up on the sidelines as Wenger weighs up his options.

Maccarone wins his side a throw. Johnson almost weaves his way through the Arsenal defence, but Toure comes across to tackle.

Arsenal kick off the second half.

No changes at half-time, for either side. Arsenal are the first team out, and they look hungry to make ammends in this second half.

HALF-TIME: Yakubu's first Boro goal puts the home side in front at half-time. Arsenal will be so frustrated.

Yakubu fires a left-foot shot over the bar after sprinting on to Johnson's pass, though the linesman raises his flag for off-side anyway.

The Boro fans have really come to life since the goal; they are getting behind their side and cheering every pass and tackle.

Arsenal will be amazed that they find themselves a goal behind - Boro went ahead from their first shot on goal.

Oooh! Rochemback smashes a 40-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the post, although Lehmann did have it covered.

Boro are certainly fortunate to be in front, although they can be proud of the way they rode the early Arsenal storm and gradually got themselves back in to the match.

That is Yakubu's first Boro goal since his move from Portsmouth in the summer. Great finish from the edge of the penalty area.

GOAL! Yakubu holds off Toure on the edge of the area, spins and buries a right-foot shot past Lehmann.

Johnson loses the ball from the corner, and Reyes sprints up-field on a counter-attack. He cuts inside from the right wing and fires in a low shot, but Schwarzer saves easily.

Gilberto tackles Johnson on the left wing, but Boro win a corner when the ball spins behind.

Cygan gives away a free-kick on the right touchline when Rochemback collapses to the turf with a blood-curdling scream.

Bergkamp makes a great run down the right channel, and a good touch brings him goalwards, though he has little support and Boro win possession back.

Yakubu throws himself to the ground as he tries to get past Lauren, though the referee gives nothing. The giant Boro striker went down very easily.

Arsenal deal with the corner very well and launch an immediate counter-attack, though Southgate shows good strength to rob Reyes on the left wing.

Oooh! Nice football from Boro, with Rochemback finding Xavier out on the right wing. He beats Cole and sends a cross to the far post, where Yakubu wins a corner when his header is deflected behind.

Great tracking back from Boateng as he gets in a tackle on Gilberto, who was sprinting at the heart of the Boro defence.

The Boro fans seem to be getting a little frustrated too; there have been rumblings from the stands that McClaren is too defensive in his approach.

Yakubu seems a little isolated, stuck up front on his own. Maccarone is doing his best to drift in from the right, but otherwise Boro aren't committing many players forward.

Arsenal have had six shots on goal so far, while Boro have yet to register an attempt.

Oooh! Great skill from Reyes out on the left wing as he flicks the ball through Xavier's legs and crosses low to Bergkamp, though his first-time shot flies over the bar.

The pace of the game has slowed considerably since Arsenal led a frantic opening. That will suit Boro, who desperately need something from this match.

Pires seems to have something of a roaming role this evening; he is popping up all over the pitch at the moment.

Superb pass from Southgate to Maccarone on the right wing, and Boro win a corner when Cole stumbles and puts the ball behind.

Wenger is very animated on the Arsenal bench, perhaps animated that his side did not capitalise on their strong start to the match.

Boro are gradually getting back in to the match. They are enjoying a good spell; keeping the ball, playing with a better tempo and working hard when they lose possession.

Cole gets a vital touch on a Queudrue cross that was heading towards Maccarone on the back post. Middlesbrough throw.

Hleb brings down Rochemback just inside the Arsenal half. Queudrue breaks free down the left from the free-kick, but his cross towards Maccarrone on the back post is under-hit.

A sensational touch and turn from Bergkamp almost sets him free, but Ehiogu pulls the veteran Dutchman back. Free-kick, and the Boro defender is fortunate not to be booked.

Finally a decision goes Boro's way when Hleb seems to be fouled on the edge of the penalty area, though referee Riley waves play-on.

Boro are very strong in the challenge, though I'm not sure whether that is down to determination and resolve, or anger and frustration.

Queudrue is booked for a late challenge from behind on Bergkamp on the half-way line. All the referee's decisions are going Arsenal's way at the moment.

Boateng is booked as he tugs at Hleb's shirt as the Arsenal midfielder tried to sprint free down the right wing.

Johnson takes the corner, left-footed, in towards the back post, but it is far too long and Arsenal attempt to launch a swift counter.

This time Yakubu does win his side a corner when his cross is deflected behing by Cole.

Yakubu thinks he has won a corner when he is tackled in the corner by Toure, though the referee points to a goal-kick. The fans are furious.

Schwarzer punches the corner clear, and Yakubu shows great control and strength to mount a counter-attack, though Bergkamp - of all people - sprints back to tackle and end the danger.

Toure strikes the free-kick, but it is deflected wide for another Arsenal corner.

Arsenal win a free-kick 30 yards out after Xavier slides in on Bergkamp. The new signing is furious with the referee.

Boro have been terrible in defence in the opening minutes; they look so nervous and disorganised.

Oooh! Southgate has plenty time to clear the corner, curled in to the back post, but the former England man horribly slices his kick and Arsenal win another corner.

Oooh! Pires sprints on to Reyes' through ball, but Southgate slides in to put the ball out for a corner as the Arsenal man was about to shoot.

Queudrue sends a high cross in to the penalty area, though Lehmann comes out and claims well.

Xavier finds Johnson with a great ball out to the left wing, but the youngster stumbles as he runs at Lauren and the move breaks down.

Bergkamp takes the free-kick, though referee Riley insists he takes it again; he says he hadn't blown his whistle. When the set-piece is eventually taken, Pires latches on to a half-clearance but blasts his shot over the bar.

Maccarone brings down Reyes just outside the left side of the Boro penalty area. Reyes has started this game very brightly.

Reyes should probably have done better with that effort. He was wonderfully picked out by Hleb's pass in to the area, and the young Spaniard had time to pick his spot.

Oooh! Reyes strikes the post with a left-foot shot from 12 yards after a lovely passing move from Arsenal. Boro are all over the place at the moment.

Maccarone looks desperate to impress McClaren after spending a season out on loan last year. He seems to be starting on the left wing, but is drifting inside when he can.

Boro look very nervous and tentative; Arsenal are swarming all over the man on the ball and really putting the home side under pressure.

Oooh! Early warning for Boro as Reyes robs Ehiogu on the edge of his penalty area and fires a low shot goalwards, which Schwarzer does well to save.

Boro kick off. Rochemback gets an early touch of the ball. His nickname, I'm told, is The Terminator.

Great atmosphere inside the Riverside as Boro bid to end an awful start to the season. Arsenal need a victory to keep up with Chelsea's 100% start to the season.

Steve McClaren hands three players their Premiership debuts: new signings Abel Xavier and Fabio Rochemback, and Adam Johnson, an 18-year-old who is Boro's latest youth academy product, replaces the injured Downing on the left wing.

Dennis Bergkamp takes over the captaincy, with Jose Antonio Reyes the main striker.

Arsenal are missing Thierry Henry after he picked up a groin strain whilst playing for France on Wednesday.