Wenger's jittery Arsenal stars lose their sparkle

The same Arsenal side who queued up to swap shirts with Kaka and Co after their 2-0 win in Milan could not point an accusing finger at their own pitch after a draw with visiting Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Gareth Southgate's Boro may not be the same supersized scalp as the European champions but they brought a team reaching for the stars down to earth with a bump when the Gunners endured their fourth successive league draw, while Manchester United knocked them off their perch.

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No one outside the club put Arsenal on a pedestal and predicted unprecedented glory.

No one claimed they would lift the Barclays Premier League title on May 11 and then the ultimate prize in Moscow 10 days later.

They did that themselves when Cesc Fabregas suggested they were on course for a remarkable Double just moments after that intoxicating victory in Italy.

Arsenal had, after all, become the first English team to beat Milan on home soil. It was an awesome display but they are now paying the price. Arsenal have the jitters.

"There's no obvious reason for it," said manager Wenger. "We dropped two unbelievable points at Birmingham (2-2) and maybe that has had consequences on our Premier League form.

"We have to deal with it and I don't believe it's a good enough explanation. Wigan (0-0) was just after the Champions League, Aston Villa (1-1) are a difficult team and we gave everything against Middlesbrough but we were not creative enough.

"There was a fraction less belief. There was big disappointment in the dressing room. It was like a defeat. It was the flattest I have seen them after a game."

Little wonder. A two-horse title race is now three and if they self-destruct at Chelsea next Sunday they could be behind Avram Grant's side for the first time this season.

It will happen if they serve up another sub-standard performance.

They failed to react when Jeremie Aliadiere scored a terrific goal against his former club.

The Frenchman spent eight years at Arsenal but he could not reproduce his excellent training pitch form when picked for the first team.

Returning for the first time, he reminded Wenger of the talent that persuaded him to persevere for so long.

"Arsenal are still my team and it was great to score against them," said Aliadiere. "We didn't expect to win and you never know if you will be able to get anything. If you let them play through you, they are going to kill you."

Despite their fears, Southgate played two up front. Tuncay Sanli and Aliadiere caused Arsenal problems in the first half but they tapered off after the break.

On came Theo Walcott, the impact player, to run at Boro's tired legs and Arsenal responded. Mark Schwarzer saved well from Fabregas, then the midfielder hit a post before the equaliser came.

Kolo Toure claimed it with a header but the lack of communication between substitute Andrew Taylor and Schwarzer caused it.

That should have been the catalyst for Arsenal to secure their first win in the Premier League since February 11 but their self-belief has been left in the San Siro.

"We know it's going to be really tight now," said Toure. "It is exciting to play these big games and we like them. We will enjoy it, give it our best shot and keep trying to get points. At the moment we are just being a bit unlucky in front of goal."

Middlesbrough, who were deservedly beaten by Cardiff in the FA Cup last weekend, recovered with a draw at Villa in midweek and this dogged performance shows that under Southgate's stewardship the club are heading in the right direction.

Wenger tipped the former England defender to manage his country but Southgate has more immediate issues. However, he will not appeal against Mido's red card after catching Gael Clichy on the head with a high boot.

The former Spurs striker left to jeers from Arsenal fans. Two minutes later, the jeers were for their own team.