The visit from league leaders Arsenal was likely to be a tough game, but Boro were awarded a penalty after four minutes (the first penalty in a Middlesbrough game this season), which Downing converted for his fourth goal of the season. Tuncay scored his second in two games to increase the lead, before Tomáš Rosický scored in the final seconds of the game. The 2–1 win subjected Arsenal to their first defeat of the season, while Middlesbrough ended their run of eleven games without a win.