Arsenal 1 New York Red Bulls 1

VAN THE MAN ... Robin van Persie heads home for Arsenal

ARSENAL were booed off - and the season has not even started.

This draw against Thierry Henry and his New York Red Bulls came as the Gunners tossed away a lead for the second time in two days and umpteenth time in recent seasons.

It was too much for home fans in the sellout 60,000 crowd, who booed Arsene Wenger and his players as they left the pitch at the final whistle.

Typically, boss Wenger shrugged off the criticism from the supporters.

He said: "They have to put that into perspective.

"People always want to win and that I understand but I don't think we need to put any extra pressure on ourselves.

"The most important thing now is to prepare and take the pressure when the results really matter. I don't think you can compare playing friendly games with playing in the championship."

Granted, this Emirates Cup was only a pre-season tournament - but it comes to something when you cannot even win your own trophy.

Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against Boca Juniors on Saturday and a 1-0 advantage against the Red Bulls at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.

The Gunners managed to overcome the loss of Jack Wilshere, who went off with an ankle injury after just six minutes, by taking the lead three minutes before the break.

Red Bulls keeper Frank Rost missed a Tomas Rosicky free-kick, allowing Robin van Persie to nod into an unguarded net.

It was no more than the Gunners deserved as they dominated possession as usual.

But once again Wenger's men seemed intent on trying to walk the ball into the net.

And old boy Henry, who had earlier gone close with a couple of efforts, made them pay six minutes from time.

He picked out overlapping full-back Roy Miller, whose cross was turned into his own net by rookie defender Kyle Bartley.

That was enough to give the trophy to the Red Bulls, who beat Paris St Germain 1-0 on Saturday.

Wenger said: "Thierry has shown us today that he is still top quality with his feet and his head."