Arsenal succumbed to its first defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough in their Premiership clash on Sunday.

Boro had taken an early lead thanks to a 4th minute penalty by Stewart Downing and Sanli Tuncay doubled the lead in the 74th minute to put the result beyond doubt. Arsenal got one back through Tomas Rosicky in the dying seconds of the match but it was too little too late for the Gunners who saw their lead at the top of the table cut down to just one point.

Arsenal started the match on the back foot and in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb, looked short to creativity in the midfield. Boro had an early chance to take the lead when Jeremie Aliadiere was fouled inside the area by Kolo Toure and Downing kept his nerve to convert from the penalty spot.

The hosts were playing with a high tempo and work rate, quickly closing down any potential Arsenal moves and the only chance for the Gunners fell to Adebayor who headed it wide of the target. The second half continued with Boro maintaining the high work ethic, frustrating the Arsenal players on the pitch.

Even though Arsenal pressed forward in search of the equalizer, it was Boro who looked more likely of scoring a goal and the hosts doubled the lead in the 74th minute when Gary O'Neil found his shot blocked by Almunia but the rebound fell straight to Tuncay who made no mistake from six yards out.

With time running out, Arsenal got one back in the final minute of injury time when Rosicky latched on to Clichy's cross on the edge of the area to smash the ball past Ross Turnbull to grab a consolation goal for his side.