In a match that feels more like a loss than the draw it really was, Arsenal could not formulate much of an attacking threat against the sponge that is Middlesborough’s back line. Boro kept their shape extremely well, and on the rather rare occasion Arsenal got through their defence, veteran goalkeeper Victor Valdes was there to make the stop.
Arsenal were on the front foot for most of the match, with chances from Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Özil, and Theo Walcott gone to waste. It ended a winning streak of seven matches for the Gunners, and this match was neither the best way to build off of the 6-0 Champions League thrashing of Ludogorets nor the best way to celebrate Arsene Wenger’s birthday.
Defensive battles are not loved by many fans and Arsenal supporters certainly are not used to them, but it was comforting to see center backs Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi deal with the power and pace the likes of Adama Traore and Alvaro Negredo brought to the match.
Let’s take a look at the three best players of the match from the goalless draw at the Emirates.
