HAT-TRICK hero Thierry Henry equalled Cliff Bastin's scoring record with a stunning hat-trick as Arsenal hit Middlesbrough for seven.

Arsenal's pressure was incessant in the opening stages and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough in the 20th minute after Freddie Ljungberg's perfectly-measured cross from the right wing was powerfully volleyed beyond Brad Jones by the waiting Henry for his 14th goal of the season.

Seconds later Cesc Fabregas forced Jones to tip a 25yard drive around the post as the home side tore into Boro.

But Philippe Senderos added the second from the resulting corner when he rose unmarked to head Jose Reyes's corner into the net from six yards.

In the 29th minute, Arsenal underlined their superiority with a third goal . . . and once again it was captain Henry who was the Boro tormentor. Reyes supplied the ammunition for the deadly striker, who was left with just Jones to beat as the Boro goalkeeper raced out of his area to meet the threat. The quick-thinking Henry elected to clip the ball past Jones before he could reach him to increase Arsenal's lead.

Henry turned provider in the closing seconds of the opening half when he supplied the pass for Robert Pires to curl a delightful shot into the top corner for Arsenal's fourth.

Arsenal got their fifth goal when Gilberto headed home Henry's free-kick despite desperate attempts by Jones to keep the ball out of the net. It was now just a question of whether Henry could equal Highbury legend Cliff Bastin's record of 150 league goals with his hat-trick strike.

The home fans did not have long to wait to celebrate as Henry achieved the feat in the 68th minute by racing on to a pass from Reyes and firing past the hapless Jones. It capped a sublime performance from the French striker who had tormented the Boro defence all afternoon.

Boro's afternoon took a further turn for the worse in the 73rd minute when Doriva was sent off before Henry turned provider in 85th minute by supplying the cross which fell kindly for Alex Hleb to finish from close range.