Nonetheless the match against Boro is still important, as it provides the chance to get the majority of those five points, and to be able to rest players for the 2^nd leg of the CL.

Boro is where we came in

On the 13^th December Arsenal drew 1-1 at Middlesboro causing uproar amongst Arsenal fans. Wenger declared that on their day Boro could beat anyone. However, Boro didn't beat anyone in the league until 28 February 2009, but it was Liverpool. I suppose you could say we had done better than the scousers, except Everton won at the Riverside.

Meanwhile Arsenal went on to draw the next two games, and win the next two 1-0, hardly a springboard to success.

Arsenal are yet to beat Boro under the management of Gareth Southgate, but I think that says more about the ineptitude of Arsenal, at times, than the greatness of Arsene's favourite young manager. Indeed Southgate is now desperate for points as his side is established at the top of the bottom three.

Candidates for a gift

They have lost their last nine premiership games away in a row. So they look like they are in line for one of the famous Arsenal confidence boosting presents. You know the sort of thing, the opposition hasn't scored in 43 games so Arsenal gift them one. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 16 home games in all competitions, so unlikely to lose, but a draw would be a very poor result, so the team will need to focus.

Defensive record in prospect

Believe it or not, Arsenal are on the eve of obtaining another record, one more clean sheet and eight clean sheets in a row would established a club Premier league reord.

Defensive Lessons?

Arsenal's 4-4 draw at Liverpool got some pundits rushing to pen that Wenger doesn't know how to defend, which is ironic as until the Liverpool game Arsenal had only conceded four goals in the last ten Premiership games. Another irony was that many only noticed that Liverpool's defence made defensive errors. Arsenal goals were due to errors, and Liverpool's well worked, so no criticism of the defence then?

In fact there was a reason for Arsenal's first major defensive lapse since 26 December 2008 when they concede two at Aston Villa. Only two of the defence's regulars were available, and one of them had just recovered from a virus.

Gallas will not be back again this season, Clichy could be back by the second leg of the CL. Djourou and Almunia could play this Sunday, and would be available for the first leg of the CL. Adebayor should also be available, but RvP has a groin strain

No Saturday at 3pm before big match

Until a few weeks ago this was scheduled for Saturday 3pm. But Mammon dictated it be played at 1:30pm on a Sunday, not the best preparation for an away CL game at Manchester United. No doubt Wenger will have to rest players before the big game. However Arshavin is cup tied so hopefully we will see the Russian play. It would be good to see Eduardo play.

Arsenal possible squad: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, Eduardo, Bendtner, Fabianski, Djourou, Diaby, Denilson, Nasri, Vela, Ramsey, Eboue, Adebayor.

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