Arsenal's quest for a first Barclays Premiership win of the season continued as ten-man Middlesbrough earned a point in this 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
James Morrison had put the visitors ahead in the first half with a neat finish. Thierry Henry soon levelled from the penalty spot, but Arsenal could not find a winner and meant this was their worst start to a Premier League campaign.
The Gunners had started brightly enough, forcing a succession of early corners, from one of which Gilberto glanced a backwards header across the face of goal.
But it was Boro who took a shock lead on 21 minutes. Morrison made progress down the right, getting the better of William Gallas, making his first appearance since a deadline-day transfer from Chelsea. He played a neat one-two with Jason Euell on the edge of the Arsenal area. The Boro youngster continued his run, and dispatched a cool finish under Jens Lehmann.
Arsenal should have been level 18 minutes before half-time. Emmanuel Eboue got into the right side of the Boro area and cut the ball back into the path of Robin van Persie who somehow managed to stab the ball wide.
Arsenal soon settled at the start of the second half, but were not able to make the most of their possession around the Boro penalty area.
George Boateng had been performing soundly for Middlesboro until he started arguing with the referee over a free kick decision, something which earned him a yellow card. Just minutes later the referee reaching for his pocket again.
Boateng went flying into Ljungberg just in front of the dug-out, and ended up in a heap on the floor himself, needing treatment. The referee immediately ran over and produced a yellow card for the Boro captain, followed by a red. Southgate was incensed, his captain eventually carried off on a stretcher.
And things got worse for the Boro manager with 23 minutes left. Eboue darted into the right side of the area, and was caught by Stewart Downing as the England man slid in. Referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot, and Henry made no mistake in converting the penalty.
Arsenal were clearly lifted by their equaliser, and went all out for a winner, Schwarzer beating away substitute Tomas Rosicky's effort with 12 minutes left. Henry whipped a free-kick just over the crossbar, but the winner just would not come.
