ARSENE WENGER vowed to keep fighting for the title after Jeremie Aliadiere helped Boro grab a battling point at home.
The former Gunners striker, who netted at the Emirates last season, coverted a powerful cross by Tuncay after Emmanuel Adebayor had headed the away side in front on 17 minutes.
And while Wenger's men showed both sides of their recent Jekyll and Hyde form, things could have been worse.
Referee Peter Walton turned down a great penalty shout for the home side before half time, after Gael Clichy brought down Tony McMahon in the box.
But despite settling for the single point, Wenger insisted: “We believe that champions are people who go on when everybody else stops.
Boro began the game bristling with commitment, but after an early lull, Arsenal started to get their act together.
Robert Huth was forced to block a low shot from Adebayor in the box, before keeper Ross Turnbull blocked a point-blank effort from Abou Diaby.
And from the resulting 17th minute corner, Adebayor stooped to meet Fabregas’ set-piece in front of goal with a low header past into the net.
The goal was followed with some more sparring from the two sides, before Boro produced an equaliser from nowhere.
Tuncay had already tried a shot from the edge of the box, when on 29 minutes his great ball set up the equaliser.
The Turkish striker found space on the right, before slamming the ball across the box on the volley.
And while he hadn't looked up, the ball picked out Aliadiere, who sent a poweful diving header past Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal could have seen their lead reversed before half time, with referee Walton turning down a strong penalty shout when Tony McMahon was tripped by Gael Clichy just inside the box
The second half saw Boro start brightly with the excellent Tuncay at the centre of everything.
And Boro came close to grabbing the lead on the hour when Stewart Downing outpaced Sagna down the left before rifling a left-foot shot which was brilliantly parried by Almunia.
Moments later the Gunners had an equally good chance, with Robin Van Persie fluffing his finish after being played in by Diaby.
The final throws of the game saw Arsenal batter the door down, with no reward.
Boro, who shipped two late goals against Hull last weekend, held firm.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Johnson (Emnes 90), Digard (Shawky 90), Arca, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere. Subs Not Used: Jones, Alves, Bates, Hines, Grounds. Goals: Aliadiere 29.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby (Bendtner 82), Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere, Eboue. Booked: Diaby. Goals: Adebayor 17.
Att: 27,320
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
The former Gunners striker, who netted at the Emirates last season, coverted a powerful cross by Tuncay after Emmanuel Adebayor had headed the away side in front on 17 minutes.
And while Wenger's men showed both sides of their recent Jekyll and Hyde form, things could have been worse.
Referee Peter Walton turned down a great penalty shout for the home side before half time, after Gael Clichy brought down Tony McMahon in the box.
But despite settling for the single point, Wenger insisted: “We believe that champions are people who go on when everybody else stops.
Boro began the game bristling with commitment, but after an early lull, Arsenal started to get their act together.
Robert Huth was forced to block a low shot from Adebayor in the box, before keeper Ross Turnbull blocked a point-blank effort from Abou Diaby.
And from the resulting 17th minute corner, Adebayor stooped to meet Fabregas’ set-piece in front of goal with a low header past into the net.
The goal was followed with some more sparring from the two sides, before Boro produced an equaliser from nowhere.
Tuncay had already tried a shot from the edge of the box, when on 29 minutes his great ball set up the equaliser.
The Turkish striker found space on the right, before slamming the ball across the box on the volley.
And while he hadn't looked up, the ball picked out Aliadiere, who sent a poweful diving header past Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal could have seen their lead reversed before half time, with referee Walton turning down a strong penalty shout when Tony McMahon was tripped by Gael Clichy just inside the box
The second half saw Boro start brightly with the excellent Tuncay at the centre of everything.
And Boro came close to grabbing the lead on the hour when Stewart Downing outpaced Sagna down the left before rifling a left-foot shot which was brilliantly parried by Almunia.
Moments later the Gunners had an equally good chance, with Robin Van Persie fluffing his finish after being played in by Diaby.
The final throws of the game saw Arsenal batter the door down, with no reward.
Boro, who shipped two late goals against Hull last weekend, held firm.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Johnson (Emnes 90), Digard (Shawky 90), Arca, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere. Subs Not Used: Jones, Alves, Bates, Hines, Grounds. Goals: Aliadiere 29.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby (Bendtner 82), Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere, Eboue. Booked: Diaby. Goals: Adebayor 17.
Att: 27,320
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
