Hey Bobby it's Middlesboro 0 Arsenal 1

Henry
By Boris Mellor
April 19 2005

It was not a good start as Lauren went into the book after only 3 minutes for chopping down Downing. It meant he had to step carefully with a full match to go.

The Arsenal defence had a shaky start, but then the midfield got into gear. It was quite a scrappy game. On 23 minutes Henry received a great pass from Reyes, but he spooned it wide. The game continued to be a bit of a scrappy ding dong affair. Henry often covered by at least two players.

Meanwhile, Doriva, Downing and Parlour were all giving Arsenal plenty to think about. By 27 minutes Boro had won four corners, with Lehmann arguing with the referee that he had been impeded, Vieira finally cleared the area. Excellent defending by Kolo blocked a Hasselbaink counter attack. On about 26 minutes Arsenal won their first corner. On 40 minutes Henry attempted a shot from a tight angle but it went wide.

Just before half-time Reyes, on route for goal, was cynically blocked by Queudrue who got a yellow. Boro then put Arsenal under pressure, meanwhile Lehmann was having a most bizarre game in goal, flapping about, and getting caught out of position. At half time it was 0-0 with both teams having had their chances.

With the start of the second half Bergkamp replaced Reyes, who was probably injured by Queudrue in the first half. Now Arsenal were forcing the pace, with Boro always dangerous on the break. Senderos continued with the excellent form that made him Arsenal player of the month. On 54 minutes Lehmann did well to stop Downing with a good save..

However with Boro playing so deep their reserve keeper hardly had a save to make in the second half. However just as it looked as if Arsenal were making no headway the Gunners got the ball moving around the box, it finally ricochet to Pires who knocked in his eleventh Premiership goal of the season. Boro hit back straight away with two good chances, Lehmann saving a Hasselbaink header, and immediately after that a mistake by Senderos saw Jimmy’s poor shot easily saved. Hasselbaink was up front on his own for most of the match but still had several chances, and saw one go just wide, although Jens had it covered. Lehmann now made up for his shaky period with some excellent keeping.

With a few minutes to go Boro took off Doriva for attacker David Graham; but it was too little too late with the final score 1-0 to the Arsenal. This is the toughest game Boro have given Arsenal in the Premiership for a long while, and perhaps a younger Hasselbaink would have scored.

However 3 points are always welcome, and making it six wins in a row. With Chelsea only drawing it means we haven’t got to worry that the Russians can win the league against us at the Bridge.

Lehmann , Lauren, Senderos, Toure, Cole, Fabregas Vieira, Gilberto, Pires, Reyes, Henry,

Subs Almunia, Cygan, Eboue, Van Persie, Bergkamp.