Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough

Kolo Toure's late strike salvaged a point for Arsenal against valiant Middlesbrough who had Mido sent off.

Ex-Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere gave the visitors a shock lead when he converted Tuncay Sanli's superb cross.

But with just five minutes remaining Toure leapt highest to head in Cesc Fabregas' corner from the right.

Fabregas also had a shot blocked and a header hit the post before the last piece of action saw Mido sent off for a high tackle on Gael Clichy.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:

"Arsenal are a fantastic team but the character my players have shown this week is incredible.

"To give that sort of effort and commitment was brilliant.

"They have played ever so well, scored a fantastic goal and just dug in and managed to find the energy to hang on."

• Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"The result is disappointing and I don't think we got the result we deserved.

"We played against a side who played very deep and defended very well.

"It doesn't go for us at the moment but we have to go through a patch like that and show our strengths."

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Bendtner 61), Toure, Gallas, Clichy (Senderos 89), Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Van Persie (Walcott 61).
Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Silva.

Goals: Toure 86.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Shawky (Cattermole 46), Boateng, Downing, Sanli (Taylor 68), Aliadiere (Mido 78).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca.

Sent Off: Mido (88).

Booked: Wheater, O'Neil.

Goals: Aliadiere 25.

Att: 60,084

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).