The Boro vs. Arsenal | Premier League Preview

The team of Middlesbrough desperately needs fresh points, as The Boro are in a real danger of relegation. However, their schedule isn’t easy at all. The home game against Arsenal is the first tough test of the rest 7 matches until the end of the campaign. This will be the 5th game for the new manager of the team Steve Agnew, who has a record of 2 draws and 2 defeats since he was appointed.

The Boro have collected 24 points in 31 matches (6 points behind the 17th-placed Hull City), and they are now lying in the 19th position in the standings. However, Middlesbrough have played one match less than their main opponents in the relegation battle and they must take advantage of it.

On the other hand, the situation in Arsenal have been awful in 2017. The Gunners were humiliated by Bayern Munich in The Champions League, losing 2-10 on aggregate. In addition, Arsenal have almost lost their chance to finish in The Top 4. The Arsene Wenger’s players were smashed 3-0 by Crystal Palace last Monday, which worsen the situation in the club.

5 of the last 8 matches between these two teams have finished with a draw! The last time Middlesbrough won at home against The Gunners was on 9th December 2007. Stewart Downing opened the score from the penalty spot in the 4th minute. Tuncay Sanli doubled the score during the second half. Rosicky scored for Arsenal in the last minute, but that wasn’t enough for The Gunners.

The Boro play more successful against The Gunners at The Riverside Stadium (21-14-21), so Steve Agnew must be happy that his team won’t visit Arsenal (The Boro have only won 5 of 58 away matches against The Gunners). Surprisingly, Middlesbrough kept a clean sheet in their visit to Arsenal earlier this season, finishing with a 0-0 draw.

Even though of Middlesbrough’s position in the standings, the Steve Agnew’s players have performed good in defence. The team has conceded 17 goals in 15 home matches this season. Moreover, The Boro can take advantage of the hesitation in Arsenal’s players and win the three points.

Fabio da Silva, Callum Chambers and George Friend will miss the match through injuries. Gaston Ramirez can be eventually included in the squad. He was suffering from an ankle injury, but Ramirez will surely be recovered for the match. On the other hand, Arsene Wenger has problems with his goalkeeper, as Petr Cech and Ospina are both injured. So, Emiliano Martinez will be among the starting XI. The other injured Arsenal players are Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny, Lucas Perez and Yaya Sanogo.