DOWN to fifth in the league and a long way off the top, but Arsenal are still harbouring title hopes.

Arsene Wenger insists his side will return to the Emirates Stadium to face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday with a strong chance of forcing their way back into the title race.

On a day when both Rafael Benitez's men and Manchester United dropped points, Wenger said his side's hard-earned 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium was 'not disastrous'.

And despite fluctuating recent form, Wenger believes his side have shown signs they have got their season back on track after a poor start which threatened to effectively end their campaign before Christmas.

Wenger, named French Coach of the Year for the first time in his career by France Football magazine, said: 'We will keep our focus and try to win the next game and try not to think about it. We must just believe that the next game is one to reduce the distance between us and Liverpool.

'The league is wide open but we are in a position that every point we drop we are asked about it.

'I understand that, but champions are people who never stop and we can show that belief to keep going.'

Familiar frailties

But Boro's gutsy performance exposed familiar frailties in a Gunners line-up in which striker Emmanuel Adebayor was a class apart from his young and occasionally lightweight-looking team-mates.

Despite going ahead in the 17th minute when Adebayor stooped to meet a Cesc Fabregas cross and bounced the opener past Ross Turnbull, the visitors' lead never looked entirely secure.

And former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere drew the home side level in the 28th minute with a superb glancing header from a right-wing cross by the impressive Tuncay Sanli.

Boro had strong penalty appeals turned down when Gael Clichy brought down Adam Johnson in the box, then defended with aplomb in the second half as Robin van Persie and substitute Nicklas Bendtner both missed chances.

Boro almost won it on the hour when Stewart Downing clattered a shot into the legs of Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, and Wenger admitted: 'Sometimes we gave them a breather and they defended very well.

'There was room for us to take the three points but they fought very hard. In the end we were 1-0 and unlucky on the goal we conceded and after that we had two or three more chances to score and we didn't do it.'

The result proved much more pleasing for Boro boss Gareth Southgate who was forced to rush Chris Riggott and Robert Huth back from injury due to the suspension of the talismanic David Wheater.

His side bustled with energy and intent from the kick-off and their urgency was encapsulated by a fine performance from youngster Tony McMahon in his first Boro game for two years after suffering two broken legs.

Southgate said: 'Tony was fantastic. It's been a real long haul for him and we've sent him out on loan to get him matches.

'He needed those games under his belt and he's given an outstanding display.

'We're relatively pleased with the account we've given of ourselves. We needed to pick up some points. It's been a tough run for us but we've given a very good display and that's the most pleasing thing.'

PA Sport