Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday, but were left frustrated as their seven-match winning run came to an end with a goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough.
A point may have moved the Gunners top of the table but the manner of their display, in which plentiful possession led to few clear cut chances to test the excellent Victor Valdes, will have frustrated Arsene Wenger.
The hosts might have enjoyed 72 per cent of the ball in the first half but they struggled to do much with it, their only significant chance before the break being a free-kick from Alexis Sanchez that was well parried by Valdes.
At the other hand Middlesbrough made the most of their rare forays forward, with Adama Traore going close after outpacing Laurent Koscielny and only being denied by an excellent save from Cech. The resulting pressure ended in a free-kick which Ramirez crashed against the bar.
Ramirez would go close again 10 minutes before the interval after Traore’s cross had deflected into his path, but Cech was in place to parry the ball away.
Arsenal built pressure in the second half but found former Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes a tough opponent. Sanchez in particular was stunned to see his low drive clawed away by the giant left hand of the Spaniard.
Traore continued to pose a threat on the break and drew a fine save from Cech just before the hour with a low drive flashing towards his far post.
Without Santi Cazorla and Granit Xhaka Arsenal struggled to break down the massed ranks of Middlesbrough defenders; on the rare occasion that they did get in behind Sanchez slashed a low drive straight at Valdes.
The Gunners spent much of the closing period camped on the edge of Boro’s box without crafting much in the way of shooting opportunities.
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Ozil had the ball in the net in the final seconds after deflecting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot, but from a clearly offside position. For the first time in over two months Arsenal were to be held goalless.
