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.

Holebas Strike Gives Watford Victory Over Boro

Middlesbrough    0        Watford    1  

                                                                            Holebas 54

Ponderous in possession, toothless in attack, it’s worrying combination which is costing Middlesbrough at the Riverside this season and they are still yet to win on home turf this campaign.

The latest setback: a 1-0 home defeat to Watford which leaves Aitor Karanka’s side a scarcely outside the relegation zone, only outside the bottom three on goal difference with a trip to Arsenal scheduled next weekend.

Only be eight games have passed since the start of the season, but this was a real indication that Boro have plenty of work to do if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Jose Holebas' accomplished strike after 54 minute was the difference here, yet Boro never looked like responding, conjuring up just three shots on target all afternoon.

In contrast, a third win of the season moves Watford into the top half of the table, following a disciplined well-drilled away performance.

Boro didn’t ask their three-man defence of Younès Kaboul, Sebastian Prödl and Miguel Britos too many questions, yet they defended robustly.

Walter Mazzarri’s side were far more proactive and direct compared to their hosts and despite only recording 36 per cent possession, they posed a greater threat on the break.

Alvaro Negredo was one of two changes that Karanka made following Boro’s 1-1 with West Ham a fortnight ago, yet the burly forward was anonymous for most of the afternoon.

Gaston Ramirez also returned to the starting eleven and almost opened the scoring after just six minutes, however the Uruguayan dragged his tame effort past Heurelho Gomes’s far post.

Mazzarri also made two alterations following his side’s 2-2 draw at home Bournemouth before the international break. Britos and Isaac Success came into the side as Juan Zúñiga and Odion Ighalo dropped to the bench.

That allowed the visitors to play an unorthodox 3-4-3 formation, with Holebas and Nordin Amrabat operating as wingbacks.

For the most part the visitors were comfortable without the ball, as Boro struggled to break down their opponents when Watford assembled men behind the ball.

Boro’s best effort of the opening half hour came courtesy of a long range shot from Ben Gibson, whose low effort zipped wide.

The hosts also had a shout for a penalty when Negredo was brought inside the area, however Watford’s back three dealt comfortably with the few crosses into their box.

Mazzarri’s side also looked a threat on the break, with the lively Success causing Antonio Barragan plenty of problems. The visitors almost took the lead when Negredo headed a corner towards his own goal but it sailed wide.

The home fans vented their frustration at referee, Rodger East, at the half time whistle, after the man in charge had harshly booked Ramirez and Gibson before the interval.

Boro did show signs of improvement at the start of the second half and Adam Forshaw should have done better when he fired an effort straight at Gomes. However, the midfielder was made to pay as Watford took the lead just minutes later.

Cristhian Stuani, who had looked vulnerable on Boro’s right, was beaten far too easily by Holebas after the ball had been half cleared. The Greek defender then took one look at goal, before firing the ball high into the near corner of Victor Valdes’ net.

In that vital spell Barragan struggled to deal with the pace and power of Success. The defender was subsequently replaced by Daniel Ayala, as Calum Chamber moved to right back.

Adama Traore was also introduced and added some much needed endeavour into Boro’s attack. Even so Watford’s defence looked relatively untroubled.

East received more criticism from the stands after a number of inconsistent decisions, and his inability to clamp down on some time wasting from the Watford players.

Even so his interventions were no excuse and Boro got what they deserved.

Player Ratings

Victor Valdes   5- Was helpless to stop the goal but still fails to command his area with much authority.

Antonio Barragan   4- Was caught out on a number of occasions as Watford enjoyed success down their left hand side.

Calum Chambers   6- Justified his selection with some good interceptions.

Ben Gibson   7- Commanding at the back and barely put a foot wrong against Troy Deeney.

George Friend   6- Reliable at the back and made a couple of runs forward.

Adam Forshaw   6.5- Boro’s most creative player, played some probing balls forward but his teammates were unable to take advantage.

Marten De Roon   5- A few loose passes summed up a disjointed performance.

Cristian Stuani   5- Wasteful in the final third and was regularly beaten too easily on the right.

Stewart Downing   5- Put some crosses into the box early on but went missing when Boro needed to find an equaliser.

Gaston Ramirez   5- Worked hard off the ball but failed to link the midfield and attack well enough.

Alvaro Negredo   5- Was a cut adrift from most of the action and failed to produce anything when he was found upfront.

Subs

Daniel Ayala   5- Came on with 20 minutes to go, made a couple of clearances.

Adama Traore   6- Livened the game by running at the opposition defence.

My Boro Man Of The Man: Ben Gibson

Middlesbrough v Watford Preview

Boro will go hunting for their first home win of the season when they welcome Watford to the Riverside tomorrow afternoon.

Walter Mazzarri’s side were only promoted from the Championship two years ago and, despite Watford’s decent start to the campaign, many will expect Boro to chalk up a first Premier League victory on home turf since 2008.

With away trips to Arsenal and Manchester City lurking around the corner, Boro’s home games against the Hornets and Bournemouth in a fortnights time should carry greater significance, yet Aitor Karanka insisted that his players can’t play with “pressure”.

“The worst thing we can do is play against Watford and Bournemouth thinking there is pressure,” said the Boro boss, whose side sit 16^th in the table ahead of this weekend.

“One thing missing is experience, we lost the first halves against Everton and Tottenham but we have to learn from our mistakes and continue to play our game, “he added.

Karanaka also spoke positively about his side’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham before the international break, which ended a run of three straight defeats.

When asked about tomorrow’s opponents, he spoke about their extra year of experience in the top flight and expressed his admiration for Watford captain Troy Deeney, who the Spaniard admitted he tried to sign when he arrived in England.

Team News

Karanka confirmed that Boro have no new injury concerns, though Grant Leadbitter and James Husband remain side-lined with long term issues.

Gaston Ramirez and Cristhian Stuani did play for Uruguay last week but are expected to be involved.

Watford defenders Craig Cathcart and Daryl Janmaat remain out with a groin and shoulder injuries respectively.

Miguel Britos and Valon Behrami will be assessed after picking up knocks last week.

The Opposition

Mazzarri, Watford’s seventh different manager in three years, has made a decent start to Premier League management after arriving at Vicarage Road in the summer.

The Hornets are 11^th with eight points after seven games, that’s two more than Boro. Last month they stunned Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side by recording a memorable 3-1 home victory.

They also beat West Ham at the London Stadium and claimed an admirable point away at Southampton.

Even so Mazzarri’s side were tamely beaten by Burnley at the end of September and drew 2-2 with Bournemouth last time out.

Watford usually play an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation which allows wing-backs to be deployed. That allows Deeney and Odion Ighalo to lead the line.

One To Watch

Troy Deeney

The Watford captain is an instrumental figure and is likely to be the visitors biggest goal threat on Sunday.

The burly striker has scored six times against Boro and has already found the back of the net three times this campaign.

Last Time Out

Watford 2 Middlesbrough 0 - 6/4/2015

Watford won a pivotal game in the Championship promotion race two seasons ago.

Boro were top of the league with six games to go before kick-off but fell behind too Troy Deeney’s opener on 37 minutes.

Aitor Karanka’s side rarely looked like recovering in what was uncharacteristic performance. Odion Ighalo doubled Watford’s advantage with a spectacular curling effort after the break, as the Hornets moved to the top of table.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

Payet Brilliance Denies Boro

West Ham    1        Middlesbrough    1

                                     Payet 51                                           Stuani 57

There was much to be admired about Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham on Saturday afternoon however, in league where points are hard to come by and wins can be scare for newly promoted sides, there was general feeling that this was an opportunity missed.

Boro huffed and puffed to produce another typical, hardworking away performance, like the ones at Sunderland and West Brom.

In the end they were denied a commendable victory by a piece of brilliance from Dimitri Payet, whose second half equaliser eased some criticism about the Hammers’ new home, The London Stadium.

Up until that point Boro had their hosts exactly where they wanted them. A goal up after 51 minutes, courtesy of Cristhian Stuani’s header, Aitor Karanka’s side had relented some first half pressure and looked on course to record their second victory of the season. That was until Payet stuck.

The mercurial Frenchman found space on the left and skipped past Antonio Barragan with ease. Back came Marten De Roon, who had enjoyed a robust game in the middle of the park, but still Payet couldn’t be stopped. He jinked past Calum Chambers, then Ben Gibson and finally George Friend before tucking the ball past keeper Victor Valdes. Yes, the defending could have been questioned. But this was a solo goal of immense quality.

Payet could have been the difference in this cagey game between two sides which were experiencing similar losing streaks, yet the visitors managed to keep him at bay for the final half an hour.

Adam Forshaw produced another splendid display in the heart of midfield. Not only did he look like Boro’s most creative player, but he also did well to take the sting out of proceedings when the Hammers threatened to take control.

Karanka raised a few eyebrows with his team selection, which saw Adam Clayton, Gaston Ramirez and Alvaro Negredo drop to the bench. In their place came Forshaw, Viktor Fischer and Jordan Rhodes.

It was the Fischer who had the game’s first real attempt when Rhodes nodded the ball into the Danish playmaker’s path but he fired just wide.

Boro’s biggest threat came down the left where Friend and Stewart Downing combined effectively on numerous occasions.

Slaven Bilic had made four alterations to the West Ham side which lost 3-0 at home to Southampton last time out. With Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho still out injured and Simone Zaza low on confidence, Michail Antonio led the line.

The host’s closest effort came on the stoke of half time when captain Mark Noble curled an effort from the edge of the area onto the underside of Victor Valdes’ crossbar.

Stuani’s opener from a Fischer corner after the break appeared to swing the momentum in Boro’s favour, however Payet brilliance brought parity just five minutes later.

In the end it was another admirable point for Karanka’s side but it could so easily have been three.

West Ham v Middlesbrough Preview

Aitor Karanka admitted that he didn’t make any tactical changes at half time during Middlesbrough’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham last weekend.

After falling two goals behind in a miserable first half, Boro improved significantly after the break but their manager insists that was only down to an improvement in attitude from his players.

Boro travel to the London Stadium this weekend to take on West Ham, in a match where both sides will hope to improve on their recent poor run of form.

The Hammers have lost their last four league games while Boro have failed to pick up a point in their last three, even so Karanka doesn’t believe that his side need to make immediate changes.

“We have been losing games but we don’t need to change anything, just the mistakes and the attitude. We are not losing games five or six nil,” he said.

“In the second half (against Tottenham) the tactics were the same but the attitude was different and we need the play like we did in the second half.”

Team News

Boro don’t have any fresh injury concerns, however Karanka did confirm that Grant Leadbitter could return before Christmas, after the midfielder underwent a hernia operation at the start of the season.

Adama Traoré could make his first start for the club after impressing in a second half cameo against Spurs last weekend.

West Ham have been hampered by a number of injuries this campaign and will be without Aaron Cresswell, Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho for Saturday’s game.

Norwegian midfielder Håvard Nordtveit is their latest casualty and will also miss the game after sustaining an injury during West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Southampton.

The Opposition

West Ham’s contentious move to the London Stadium hasn’t exactly gone to plan and last season’s impressive 7^th place finish must seem like a distant memory.

After moving from their cherished home, Upton Park, the Hammers have failed to acclimatise to their new residence, where they have lost twice and conceded seven goals in three games.

There were boos at the end of their 3-0 defeat to Southampton last weekend, while the crowd troubles during the 4-2 defeat to Watford earlier this month were even more disturbing.

Slaven Bilic hasn’t been helped by injuries to key players at the start of this campaign, while last season’s talisman Dimitri Payet has failed to recapture his scintillating form after returning late from the European Championships.   

Even so, the Hammers shouldn’t be underestimated and Bilic will hope that his side have learnt from their recent mistakes.

One To Watch

Dimitri Payet

The 29-year-old Frenchman was instrumental for West Ham last campaign, contributing with nine goals and 12 assists in 30 Premier League games.

Payet backed up an impressive first season in the England’s top flight by asserting himself as one of France’s key players at the summer’s European Championships. The £12.75m that West Ham paid for him last summer now looks like a real bargain.

Payet may not have started this campaign in top form, however his ability to create and score goals from both open play and set pieces still makes him a real danger.

Last Time Out

West Ham 1 Middlesbrough 1 – 20/3/2012

Boro substitute Bart Ogbeche produced a stunning late strike to rescue a point for Tony Mowbray’s side when both teams were in the Championship four years ago.

Abdoulaye Faye’s opener on 67 minutes gave promotion-chasing West Ham the lead when the defender’s effort was deflected off Joe Bennet and looped over Boro keeper Jason Steele.

However, Ogbeche’s finish six minutes from time gave the visitors an admirable point at Upton Park.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

I would bring Daniel Ayala back into the side to partner Ben Gibson at the back. It was a partnership that flourished in the Championship last season and by now they should know each other's games inside out.

Adama Traoré added some much needed pace and power to Boro's attack when he came on against Tottenham so he deserves to start.

In midfield I would like to see Boro go back the Forshaw-Clayton combination which worked well away at Sunderland and West Brom earlier in the season.

Boro Outclassed By Tottenham As Slow Start Costs Them

Middlesbrough   1    Tottenham   2

                                              Gibson 67                                          Son 7 23

Boro suffered their third defeat in a row after they were outplayed by an in form Tottenham at the Riverside.

First half goals from Son Heung-min resulted in another disappointing afternoon for Aitor Karnaka’s side on home turf, and despite improving after the break Boro were unable to savage anything from the game.

Ben Gibson’s header on 67 minutes gave Boro revived hope, as did the introduction of Adama Traore off the bench, however the host’s sluggish start which ultimately cost them.

"It's frustrating for me to work for seven days to try to show them (the players) how Tottenham play and how good they are if we let them play, then we go on the pitch and seven minutes later we are losing 1-0,” said Karanka after the game.

"These mistakes were made last week and the week before, but the worst and most frustrating thing for me was the attitude, especially in the first half because in the second half we were completely different,” he added.

Tottenham weren’t hampered by an injury to last season’s top scorer Harry Kane, and in his absence Son, who scored just four goals for Spurs in the league last campaign, justified his place.

After just seven minutes the South Korean international had given his side the lead, after playing a neat one-two with Vincent Janssen, before jinking away from Adam Clayton and Calum Chambers, and slotting the ball past Boro goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Karanka made three changes to the side which lost 3-1 at Everton the previous week, as Adam Clayton and Christian Stuani returned to the side.

Chambers also came into the side to make his debut while Daniel Ayala, Adam Forshaw and Emilio Nsue dropped to the bench.

Even so, Boro continued to struggle against a rampant Spurs side, who doubled their lead after 22 minutes and this time it was a cracker.

Son probably should have been dispossessed while twisting and turning with the ball inside the Boro penalty area. However, after wriggling away from first Antonio Barragan, then Stuani, he brilliantly curled a stunning effort into to the far corner which left Valdes stranded.

The visitors should have moved further ahead but Dele Alli could only scoop a close range effort over the bar after Chambers was caught in possession.

Karanka made a double substitution on 58 minutes when Traore and Jordan Rhodes replaced Gaston Ramirez and Alvaro Negredo, who had been isolated upfront for most of the game.

Traore’s willingness to run at players reinvigorated the crowd and the match as a contest.

Tottenham’s lead was halved when Gibson climbed above Victor Wanyama to head the ball beyond Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris from Downing’s free kick.

Boro threatened again when another Downing cross was nodded towards goal by Rhodes but Lloris had positioned himself well.

Spurs was always going to be another difficult test for Karanka’s side, however Boro will have to start picking up more points at home if they are to stay clear from the bottom three.

Middlesbrough v Tottenham Preview

Aitor Karanka has urged his player to ‘fix the mistakes’ which have cost Middlesbrough in their last two games.

Boro have conceded five goals while suffering back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, however Karanka still believes that his side have made a good start to the campaign after five game.

“The only game that we were a little bit off was the last 60 minutes of the last game (against Everton),” he said.

“The first game (against Stoke) we should have won the game, the second game we beat Sunderland, against West Brom we weren’t better than them but we were comfortable on the pitch and against Crystal Palace, if it wasn’t for a mistake, we should have at least drawn the game,” he added.  

The defensive mistakes which Karanka, an ex-defender himself, alluded too were also an issue against Everton last weekend, though the Spaniard didn’t specify whether he would make changes ahead of this Saturday’s game at home to Tottenham.

He did confirm that new arrivals Calum Chambers, on loan from Arsenal, and Bernardo Espinosa are ready to make their first starts in defence and reiterated the fact that he has 22 players competing for places.

Karanka, a serial winner as a player at Real Madrid and as a manager in the Championship, was also asked about the prospect of losing games in England’s top division, to which he responded: “It’s true that the last few years I have always been fighting to win something”.

“This season is the first season when I am losing games but we have to keep going and stay confident,” he added.

Team News

Karanka confirmed that Cristhian Stuani and Jordan Rhodes are available again after both missed Boro’s 3-1 defeat away to Everton with groin and knee injuries respectively.

Tottenham will be without last season’s top scorer Harry Kane, who sustained an ankle injury against Sunderland last weekend. Dutchman Vincent Janssen or Son Heung-min are the most likely forwards who could replace the Englishman upfront.

Left back Danny Rose, who missed last weekend’s game, is still struggling with a hamstring problem and is therefore a doubt. Assessments will be made on the fitness of Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier after both suffered with cramp in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

The Opposition

Tottenham have backed up last season’s title challenge by taking a very commendable 11 points from their first five games.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side remain unbeaten in the league after three wins and two draws, and the early signs suggest that another top four finish is a real possibility.

They have added to their squad over the summer, with Victor Wanyama adding power solidity in midfield, while Vincent Janssen- last season’s top scorer in Holland’s top division- should provide a good alternative to the currently side-lined Harry Kane.

Moussa Sissoko’s £30 million arrival may have come as a shock to those who watched him at Newcastle last season, however if the Frenchman can recapture the form that he showed for his country at the Euros this summer then he could also prove a useful addition.

Pochettino must also decide whether to prioritise Tottenham’s Champions League game away at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, so squad rotation may be a factor at the Riverside.

One To Watch

Christian Eriksen

The Danish midfielder has recently signed a new contract at White Hart Lane and will arrive at the Riverside in good form after scoring twice against Gillingham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Eriksen is a threat from set plays, especially free kicks, and can often cause problems for opposition defences by drifting in and out on to the wing.

Last Time Out

Tottenham 4 Middlesbrough 0 – 4/3/2009

Boro’s fight against relegation wasn’t helped by a dismal day in North London.

Gareth Southgate’s side were never in the game against a rampant Spurs side, who took the lead after nine minutes though Robbie Keane.

Roman Pavlyuchenko made it 2-0 five minutes later before two goals from Aaron Lennon completed the scoring for Harry Redknapp’s team.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

Boro have made some defensive mistakes in the last two games but I still think it's too early to make wholesale changes at the back.
They lacked a goal threat away at Everton so I would like to see Stuani return to the side. Adam Clayton also sat out at Goodison Park and his presence could be important in midfield.