Arsène Wenger may think he has problems at Arsenal but Middlesbrough really are in trouble. The only side in English league football not to have registered a win during 2017, their last top-flight victory (against Swansea) was on 17 December. Wenger meanwhile acknowledges that a top-four finish represents “a massive challenge” for his stumbling team, conceding “we might do it, we might not”. The odds on both he and Boro’s Steve Agnew remaining in charge of these clubs come August appear pretty slender.
Kick-off Monday 8pm
Venue Riverside Stadium
Last season n/a
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee Anthony Taylor
This season G25, Y101, R4, 4.36 cards per game
Odds H 6-1 A 4-7 D 10-3
Middlesbrough
Subs from Guzan, Konstantopoulos, De Roon, Fischer, Bamford, Guedioura, Gestede, Friend, Fry, Ramírez, Traoré
Doubtful Friend (calf), Ramírez (ankle)
Injured Da Silva (concussion, 22 Apr), Husband (knock, unknown)
Suspended None
Ineligible Chambers (terms of loan)
Form LLLDLD
Discipline Y59 R0
Leading scorer Negredo 7
Arsenal
Subs from Martínez, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Debuchy, Koscielny, Xhaka, Ramsey, Maitland-Niles, Reine-Adélaïde, Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mertesacker, Giroud, Holding, Sanogo
Doubtful Cech (calf), Koscielny (achilles)
Injured Ospina (back, 22 Aug), Cazorla (achilles, Aug), Pérez (thigh, unknown)
Suspended None
Form WLLDWL
Discipline Y50 R2
Leading scorer Sánchez 18
Preview
Wenger will hope two key members of a beleaguered back five are fit enough to return from injury. The players in question are goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back Laurent Koscielny.
Cech has missed the last three matches, while Koscielny has sat out two after being injured during the recent 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City. Wenger has indicated the pair could be ready to return this week, per Arsenal's official website: "From the last game, I believe that we have a chance of getting Petr Cech back in the squad. Laurent Koscielny is joining in today. If their tests are positive, they will come back into the squad for Monday's game."
When pressed further on the duo's possible availability, Wenger rated their chances, per the same source: "Eighty per cent. At the moment it’s pretty good, but sometimes the 20 per cent can play a villain's part in the final preparation."
The Gunners need their two most experienced and talented figures at the back involved, even against goal-shy Boro. Arsenal have conceded three times in each of their last four away games, all defeats, a rare and unwanted mark in the club's history, per Telegraph Football:
Middlesbrough may have only scored a league-low 22 goals, but they could still cause the Gunners problems. Specifically, target men Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede could punish an Arsenal back four bullied in the air by Christian Benteke and Palace last week.
Wenger will have to concentrate on getting his own attack up to speed to keep Boro on the back foot. It won't be easy after the toothless display at Palace, but a change at centre-forward is certainly necessary.
Danny Welbeck has started the last four games but failed to score, so it's time to give Olivier Giroud his chance. The Frenchman can combine well with Alexis Sanchez, whom Wenger believes prefers to play out wide, according to Marc Williams of the Daily Star: "He likes to touch the ball, so I would say he is more attracted to a wide position. He basically prefers to play wide rather than up front because he can get the ball more."
Arsenal have to get Sanchez involved early, and having him run off Giroud's ability to hold the ball up would make sense against a Middlesbrough defence lacking pace.
Wenger should bring Giroud in alongside Sanchez.
Agnew is already aware of Arsenal's attacking threat. He has tipped 35-year-old goalkeeper Victor Valdes to be a big factor between now and the end of the season, per Charlotte Bates of Sky Sports.
Valdes was superb in helping Boro earn a point against the Gunners in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium back in October. Yet he won't be the only key figure for Agnew, who will also welcome back defenders George Friend and Fabio, as well as forward Gaston Ramirez, according to Dominic Shaw of Gazette Live.
Middlesbrough have the players to trouble a mentally fragile Arsenal team, particularly if they get the right delivery from wide areas to maximise their advantage in the air. However, the Gunners still have enough quality up front to finally end their dire run away from home.
Head To Head
Arsenal have won two, drawn four, and lost one of their last seven meetings with Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough vs Arsenal Stats
Middlesbrough have seen Under 2.5 goals in 67% of their last 12 home games in the Premier League.
