Anything was possible going into today’s game at Middlesbrough. Both sides have had inconsistent runs of form recently, and with Boro’s superb record against Arsenal, a tough game was on the cards for Arsene Wenger’s young men.

French tactician Wenger welcomed back five senior players, two of whom included Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. The latter scored the only goal during Arsenal’s league encounter with Wigan last week.

Middlesbrough Starting XI

Turnbull
McMahon – Huth – Riggott – Pogatetz (c)
A Johnson – Arca – Digard – Downing
Aliadiere – Tuncay

Arsenal Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Djourou – Gallas – Clichy
Denilson – Fabregas (c) – Song – Diaby
Adebayor – van Persie

First Half

Difficult conditions managed to strengthen Boro’s position during the opening stages. Fullback Tony McMahon showed some energetic running down the right hand flank, but it was an expertly-weighted ball from Julio Arca which fell for Stewart Downing that was the pick of the early moves.

England winger Downing won a corner from the move and Emmanuel Adebayor headed on to the roof of his own net giving Boro a second corner in quick succession, Johnson lofting a volley well over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box after a decent left-wing delivery.

It was Arsenal who settled to created two chances in five minutes.

Arsenal’s Stamford Bridge hero Robin van Persie edged a low shot just wide from 12 yards, before Adebayor set up Abou Diaby who brought a fine save from Ross Turnbull at his near post.

Wet conditions at the Riverside weren’t going to dampen Arsenal’s spirits though, a vital moment was set to come within seconds of Diaby’s shot.

The save from Turnbull brought a corner from which the Gunners took the lead as Cesc Fabregas delivered from the left and Emmanuel Adebayor was left with a free header on the edge of the six-yard box with just over 16 minutes played.

Goal: Emmanuel Adebayor (16) – Middlesbrough 0-1 Arsenal

As Boro tried to get back in the game McMahon picked out Aliadiere on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, a sharp turn gave him space to shoot, but he sliced wide of Manuel Almunia’s right-hand post.

Tuncay was off balance when he shot tamely at Almunia from the edge of the penalty area minutes later, while it took smart goalkeeping from Turnbull to grab a low Diaby drive from deep inside the Boro box.

But with 28 minutes played the equaliser Boro’s play deserved arrived with their first headed goal of the season as Tuncay smashed in a cross from the left-hand edge of the Arsenal box and Jeremie Aliadiere flung himself ahead of the central defenders on the edge of the six-yard box.

Goal: Jeremie Aliadiere (28) – Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal

Boro had genuine claims for a penalty turned down when Gael Clichy caught Johnson, but vehement appeals went unheeded.

Back came Arsenal and Adebayor crossed low from the right, picking out van Persie unmarked seven yards from goal, but he went for the kind of finish which looks great when it comes off, but in attempting a flash backheel he missed the ball completely and the Boro fans were laughing for a little while after.

Denilson was next to threaten, though his approach was spoiled by the finish which took the ball well over the bar from 22 yards.

Second Half

Gareth Southgate’s side came straight out of the blocks after a subdued start to the second half from both respective teams.

Rock solid German international Robert Huth displayed nimble footwork on the halfway line, turning away from two yellow shirts to play a delicate ball over the top which just outran Aliadiere.

Tuncay was next to give Arsenal cause for concern but was just crowded out.

A long ball over the top saw Downing outpace Bacary Sagna and bring a smart save at his near post from Almunia who reacted well to a low drive.

As the game swung to the other end and the Gunners began to apply pressure, Diaby set up Van Persie who rolled a low shot across the face of goal and just wide.

The visitors began to step it up and Turnbull did well to hold on to a low 20-yard drive from Diaby.

But Boro dug deep and took the game back to a side attempting to go third in the table. Eye-catching approach work though didn’t render too many chances, but the same applied at the other end.

No-one has been involved in goals in the last 10 minutes of games this season more than Boro (15), though Arsenal are not far behind with 12, so it was no surprise that nerves on both sides were stretched – as were defences.

A wicked right-wing corner from Van Persie caused problems, while Turnbull made an excellent stop to prevent the lime green booted substitute Nicklas Bendtner from cracking in at the near post.

It would have been rough justice on a Boro side which arguably deserved at least a point. Arsenal’s problems continue to mount though, their is some good news coming up this Monday, Eduardo will make his return from injury in a Reserve game against Portsmouth.

Gooner Talk’s Man of the Match: Emmanuel Adebayor – The Togolese frontman showed exactly why Arsenal need him. With 11 goals this season, more is expected of the 25-year-old who you can guarantee will be linked with a whole host of European clubs in January.

Arsenal got their pre-season campaign off to a great start with a 2-1 win over League 2 side Barnet at Underhill.

A fantastic second half display won it for the Gunners with youngsters such as Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson impressing the 5,500 crowd watching on.

Arséne Wenger fielded a strong team for the first half, with new-signing Aaron Ramsey starting along with inexperienced centre back pairing Havard Nordtveit and Justin Hoyte.

Barnet Starting XI:

Beckwith

Carew – Yakubu – Devera – Gillet

Adomah – Porter – Bishop – St Aimie

Birchall – Akurang

Arsenal Starting XI:

Almunia

Sagna – Nordtveit – J.Hoyte – Clichy (c)

Lansbury – Denilson – Ramsey – Traore

Walcott – Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott got the ball rolling at Underhill as the Gunners looked for an impressive start to their pre-season campaign.

Denilson was fouled early on as Arsenal worked the ball around well with Aaron Ramsey mastering the midfield along with surprise starter Henri Lansbury.

Barnet had the first chance of the match through Kieron St Aimee. He controlled the ball well before getting hold of a smashing shot which went inches wide of Manuel Almunia’s goal.

The League 2 side passed it around nicely but ultimately got caught out a couple of times with Nicklas Bendtner sneaking up behind defenders before heading over with a looping header.

Former Harrow striker Albert Adomah struck a shot wide and showed that Barnet weren’t to be no pushovers in the match.

Norwegian centre half Nordtveit put in some good challenges and kept strong at the back as did new-signing Aaron Ramsey.

Ever-willing on the overlap, Bacary Sagna aimed several crosses in at Bendtner, the Danish forward failed to get on the end of the majority balls, a compliment to Barnet’s defender.

Then, unbelievably, Gael Clichy’s close pal in Kenny Gillet won a free kick outside the edge of the ‘D’ before smashing it past the stranded Almunia.

Arsenal needed to come back from the early blow, memories of the Gunners’ 10-1 comeback over the Bee’s came to mind, was this to happen again three years on?

England youngster Lansbury switched positions in midfield, the 18-year-old started on the right before moving back to the centre.

Crude chants concerning Emmanuel Adebayor were being sung by the Arsenal crowd as frustration grew for the away side who made a few more chances within strike pair Walcott and Bendtner.

Finally, the team in red and white got started, Aaron Ramsey found Bendtner with a pin-point ball before linking up with Lansbury who struck wide – much better football from the Ashburton Grove club, a possibly sign of better things to come.

Bees forward St Aimee volleyed a strong effort at Spaniard Almunia who was contained the shot well. Theo Walcott then went down the other end before setting himself up with a volley which flew over the Arsenal fans and probably back on the M25.

Wenger looked on in disappointment as his side failed to conjer up an equaliser before the half time whistle, which the referee blew seconds later. Arsenal needed a top second half performance or Barnet were set to spring up a surprise at Underhill.

Second Half

A whole host of changes were made for the second half, Vito Mannone, Paul Rodgers, Rui Fonte, Abu Ogogo, Jay Simpson, Jack Wilshere, Gavin Hoyte, Rene Steer, Mark Randall and new signing Francis Coquelin came on as second half substitutes, just like Gooner Talk exclusively told you several hours before the match.

The youngsters that lined up were being closely watched by Reserves coach Neil Banfield who’s new season starts in a few weeks time.

Francis Coquelin showed a couple of good touches and highly-rated Jack Wilshere showed his class on the left hand side with several silky runs.

Barnet’s Adomah troubled Italian keeper’ Mannone with a well-struck shot, and fo Arsenal youth star Adam Birchall troubled Gavin Hoyte in defence.

Nacer Barazite was definitely one to watch during the second half, the Reserves top goal scorer from last season dribbled in and out of Barnet’s defence and looked to cause the Bee’s plenty of problems.

The Gunners’ ’second string’ then forced keeper’ Lee Harrison to save with Mark Randall striking a free kick into the corner, the goalie managed to get a finger tip to it though, with Barazite also forcing Harrison to save from a tight angle.

And what did we tell you earlier this morning? This is Jay Simpson’s chance to prove himself, and he did, an emphatic finish from the Tottenham-born frontman after receiving Jack Wilshere’s perfect ball. Arsenal were back in the game thanks to Simpson, but it was really English youngster Wilshere who impressed the most.

Coquelin, Fonte and Randall were all presented with late opportunties but failed to get on the end of them with either shots going over the bar, or Lee Harrison keeping them out.

Frenchman Coquelin took the ball from Barnet’s midfield on several occasions and really did look a fantastic prospect for the coming Reserves’ campaign.

A goal mouth scramble followed, with Rui Fonte blazing over from 15 yards out, the ex-Sporting Lisbon prodigy was not a pivotal figure as Simpson was during the second half.

Arsenal completed their comeback thanks to a goal from Nacer Barazite, Simpson provided the ball this time, and the shot hit the post before going over the line.

With less than ten minutes to go, Polish keeper’ Wojciech Szczesny came on for Mannone, the latter managing to keep a fantastic clean sheet against a stern test in the League 2 side.

Coquelin, Randall and Fonte were presented with late opportunities, but all three were blocked out by the controlled Barnet defence.

The full time whistle went, a decent work out for Arséne Wenger’s men and not a bad start to their pre-season campaign either.

Full Time Result: Barnet 1-2 Arsenal

Goalscorers:

Kenny Gillet (15)

Jay Simpson (63)

Nacer Barazite (74)

Player Ratings

Almunia – 5 – Did okay, but should of done better on first goal.

Sagna – 6 – Still looks rusty, some good balls in the box though.

Nordtveit – 6.5 – A strong performance from the Norwegian centre half.

J.Hoyte – 6 – Controlled the game well from the back

Clichy – 6 -Typical athletic performance, great running down the channels.

Lansbury – 5.5 – Decent but was played in the wrong position

Denilson – 4 – Wasn’t at his best, poor passing as well.

Ramsey – 9 – Debutant ran the first half single handedly, great performance.

Traore – 5 – Didn’t provide enough ammunition for the strikers.

Walcott – 5 – Silky running, but wasn’t anything special.

Bendtner – 4 – Possibly his worst performance in an Arsenal shirt?

Subs:

Mannone – 6 – Clean sheet for the highly-rated Italian and a couple of great stops.

Ogogo – 6 – The fullback seemed nervous at the start but eventually got into the game.

G.Hoyte – 6.5 – Composed at the back, one for the future.

Rodgers – 6 – A Carling Cup player definitely, very athletic and knows where the ball is.

Steer – 6 – Like Rodgers, one to look out for, blessed with blistering pace.

Wilshere – 8 – Silky running, like Hleb but can shoot as well, involved in both goals.

Randall – 6 – Seemed lazy to me, didn’t seem too bothered about the game itself.

Coquelin – 7 – New recruit Coquelin reminded me of Gilberto, great tackling.

Barazite – 8 – Scored the second and was technically asure of himself.

Simpson – 8 – Really did impress, fantastic first goal and was involved in the second as well.

Fonte – 5.5 – Wasted several opportunities, he’s meant to be a striker but he just can’t finish.

Gooner Talk’s Man of the Match – Aaron Ramsey - The newly-signed midfielder looked up for this tie and his hard work ethic almost paid off when he set up Nicklas Bendtner. Very assured and composed, typical Wenger signing.