Freddie Ljungberg controls the ball for Arsenal as the Londoners begin to exert pressure on the visitors

Middlesbrough are forced to make a change as George Boateng is stretchered off with a serious knee injury

Sol Campbell puts Arsenal 1-0 up after heading in a Giovanni van Bronckhorst free-kick right on half-time

Boro's afternoon gets worse when Luke Wilkshire is sent off after 73 minutes for a second bookable offence

As Arsenal look to extend their lead, Thierry Henry tries his luck with an overhead kick that flies just wide

Frenchman Robert Pires caps a fine individual performance with Arsenal's second in the final minute

Arsenal top the table at Christmas for the first time in Premiership history despite a mixed run recently