Arsenal v Middlesbrough Preview

Middlesbrough will make the daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on an Arsenal side who have won their last seven games in all competitions.

Back in May, when Boro were fighting for promotion, it’s fair to say that these were the types of away days which Teessiders’ would have yearned for. However, after a difficult start to the season, the growing need for points is becoming increasingly salient.

Aitor Karnaka’s side are only outside the bottom three on goal difference going into this weekend, and with games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester on the horizon, points will be hard to come by.

Last Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Watford only added to the pressure ahead of testing run of fixtures. Nevertheless, Karanka delivered a bullish riposte to the criticism that his team, in particularly his tactics, received after the deflating result.

“I’ll respond in the same way I did last season when we lost a lot of games in January,” said the Boro boss.

“The way I’ll respond is to tell the critics that they are not here to train the team. They are not here to analyse the opponent. They are not her to have lunch with the players. It is my job I am the head coach.”

“I am 150 per cent confident my methods work, as I was in January when the critics said the same and everyone was asking different things,” he added.

“I can understand 100 per cent that supporters have expectations and as a supporter you want your team winning every single day.”

“But once again I can’t do my training sessions, my work, thinking that the crowd is thinking this kind of thing, the chairman is thinking that kind of thing or the journalists are thinking another.”

Team News

Once again Boro should have a fully fit squad ahead of their trip to North London.

Captain Grant Leadbitter is back in training after undergoing a hernia surgery, which has kept him out since the start of the season, but he is unlikely to be involved this weekend.

Calum Chambers is ineligible to play as he is currently on loan from Arsenal.

Arsenal will be without midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is suspended after his red card against Swansea last weekend.

Santi Cazorla is also a doubt after picking up an Achilles injury against Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Opposition

Arsenal have won their last seven games in all competitions and after an uninspiring start, losing 4-3 at home to Liverpool and a goalless draw with Leicester, the Gunners look like title contenders once again.

Last month’s 3-0 demolition of Chelsea was a reminder of what Arsene Wenger’s side are capable of when they are at their devastating best.

They have since recorded a couple of less convincing victories, beating Burnley at Turf Moor -courtesy of a controversial last-minute winner from Laurent Koscielny - and Swansea, 3-2, last weekend.

Even so, Arsenal come into this game off the back of merciless 6-0 victory over Bulgarian side Ludogorets on Wednesday. It's a result which moved the Gunners to the top of their Champions League group.

One To Watch

Mesut Ozil

The German playmaker is a key component in Arsenal’s dynamic forward line. His ability to move the ball quickly and create chances for others has made him one of the most renowned players in the Premier League

This season Ozil has linked up impressively with Alexis Sanchez, who has been deployed as a central striker. The German has also added goals to his game and scored his first hat-trick for the Gunners against Ludogorets in mid-week.

Last Time Out

Arsenal 2 Middlesbrough 0 – 15/2/2015

Boro came into the FA Cup tie buoyed by their victory over Manchester City in the previous round.

Even so, their chances of another upset were soon banished courtesy of a quick double from Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman scored in the 27^th and 29^th minute, with the first coming after a brilliant team move, which saw every Arsenal player touch the ball in the build-up.

The second came directly from a corner, as the hosts ran out comfortable winners.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

With Chambers suspended I would bring Ayala back into the defence alongside Gibson.

Boro's best performances this season have come away from home when Forshaw and Clayton have played in midfield so the later should be reinstated.

Traore should give Boro a good outlet and a threat going forward while Rhodes deserves another chance after only coming on for the last two minutes on Sunday.