Kolo Toure says Arsenal are still serious title contenders, while Arsene Wenger hopes they do not regret dropping points against Middlesbrough.Toure's 86th-minute equaliser against Boro earned a 1-1 draw at The Emirates and, despite conceding top spot to Manchester United, he stressed the Gunners still believe they will win the Premier League.

Toure headed home late on after former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere had put the visitors ahead midway through the first half with a debatable offside goal.

There was still time for Mido to be harshly sent off for a high foot on Gael Clichy just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The result meant Arsenal dropped to second in the Premier League on goal difference after Manchester United, who have played one match fewer, won at Derby earlier in the day.

Toure was disappointed with the result, saying: "I feel a bit sad because they were lucky to score the first goal. It is a good draw, it is always good not to lose and we again came back to score a late goal."

The Ivory Coast international added on Setanta Sports: "We are really confident. We will keep going. We are confident we have a strong team and we will show Chelsea and Man U that we are still there."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate expressed his pride for his players after a tough seven days in which they were knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by Championship side Cardiff and then drew at Aston Villa in midweek.

"We are disappointed because we have got so close to winning, although we have had to defend for 65 minutes," he said. "They (Arsenal) are a fantastic team but the character my players have shown this week is incredible.

"To give that sort of effort and commitment was brilliant. They have played ever so well, scored a fantastic goal and just dug in and managed to find the energy to hang on.

"We were wounded last week (by Cardiff) and there are two ways you can respond. To come here and take a point off what is an outstanding team is a good performance."

On his goal against his former club, Aliadiere said: "It was nice to score here but it was good because we went in front. We wanted to score first and defend well.

"We came here and gave everything and were pleased with a point."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was frustrated with the draw.

"The result is disappointing and I don't think we got the result we deserved," he said. "We played against a side who played very deep and defended very well. We were caught on the first goal and then it became very difficult.

"Today the team gave absolutely everything to win the game."

Arsenal have now dropped eight points in their last four matches and Wenger admitted that may harm their championship bid but insisted his players would come through their blip.

"Hopefully we will not regret that (the dropped points)," he added. "It doesn't go for us at the moment but we have to go through a patch like that and show our strengths."

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