Gareth Southgate

By Luke Sandelands
April 26 2009

Arsenal eased to a comfortable victory against Middlesbrough on a sunny afternoon at the Emirates courtesy of two goals from captain Cesc Fabregas. Perhaps the most controversial moment of the match from a Boro point of view was the denial of a penalty from referee Chris Foy when it looked as though Nicklas Bendtner stretched his arm to block the ball from a Stewart Downing corner kick.

What was clear in the performance today was that by no means did Boro look like, or deserve to get anything from the game given the teams perfomance. Arsenal were able to play the fast, flowing football they are so good at thanks to the space that was allowed to them by Middlesbrough. This was not akin to many recent Boro perfomances against Arsenal where we have managed to push them, and often squeeze results out of the game.

With only four games remaining for the Boro to save themselves this season, and while we remain three points adrift the emphasis shifts even further onto us getting results thick and fast at the end of the season, and come into a run of form we have failed to maintain throughout the season, ideally against Manchester United at home next Saturday. As far as I'm concerned we should cast aside any thoughts of playing a tight game and play Aliadiere, King, Alves and Tuncay all in the starting eleven. While Alves has failed to perform all season, he remains the type of player that could get an eye for goal that might just see us through a few games. Hope is pretty faint, but nevertheless we remain in the mix, and you never know what can happen with the Boro.

It would be nice to see them play with the same passion we had against Basle and Steaua Bucharest - and we really need that fighting spirit now more than ever.

Boro come up short at the Emirates.

Discussion started by Down by the Riverside (IP Logged), 26/04/2009 16:51

Down by the Riverside
26/04/2009 16:51

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Spirit of Steaua
27/04/2009 10:00

Funny how you never get a penalty at a top four club - especially when you need one... They were the better side though in truth.

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Spirit of Steaua
28/04/2009 11:16

I'm hoping we get stuck in from the start against Man U - if we sit back they'll murder us - c'mon Boro!

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Spirit of Steaua
30/04/2009 15:29

I hate it when much changed teams are announced - hope we don't lose the focus....

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Spirit of Steaua
02/05/2009 17:53

After the Man U game it's over to Private Fraser....

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Spirit of Steaua
04/05/2009 10:20

It's stange to think that 2 wins and a draw could still see Boro safe.... 7 points from the last 3 games.

I'm usually optimistic to the end, but I think the players are already deciding who they'll play for next year. I think we'll blow the whole thing, getting a point from a draw with Aston Villa and losing the other two games.... probably with hearbreak at West Ham.

I was at Elland Road when Juninho sat exhausted on the pitch - and we'd easily been the better side before drawing when we needed a win. I won't be at Upton Park. I don't see any fight.

C'mon Boro!

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Spirit of Steaua
07/05/2009 13:49

Lawro's got it as 1-1 against Newcastle - it just won't be enough - c'mon Boro!

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