Middlesbrough v Arsenal 10th September

By James Keen
September 8 2005

Does it get any worse for the Boro? Only time will tell but after a horrendous public showing of lethargy against Charlton Athletic we should really see this as a let off... Bear with me a moment.

Arsenal are expected to beat us, we expect Arsenal to beat us. That’s fair enough after the Charlton debacle. But because of this we should really see this as a game in which to go for broke. Have we really got anything to lose?

We have the quality in our squad and we have the inclusion of two new faces to brighten us up and we should be looking to make up for the fan's disappointment at the last game.

For Boro we have to look to our latest Brazilian hero, Fabio Rochemback, whose debut should allow the Juninho supporter's club to dust off those Brazil shirts. We could have done it for Doriva, but I don’t think he’s quite caught our imagination yet.

Also Fabio has actually played for Brazil so it’s OK. The 23 year-old will be looking to strike an immediate partnership with George Boateng in what could potentially become one of the Premiership's best midfield pairings.

The problem position for Boro though will be the left hand side. Will Frank Queudrue be asked to play the wide midfield role, or will young Adam Johnson get his chance to shine the way Stewart Downing did last season?

Indeed, Johnson’s performance for England under-19’s in midweek won’t have done him any harm and he could provide the natural balance with a youthful vigour and desire. Something Boro were sadly lacking against Charlton.

If Johnson doesn’t play we are likely to see a first start for Emmanuel Pogatetz, who in spite of Boro’s terrible performance looked composed and comfortable on the ball. If a little unspectacular. McClaren may also opt for Parlour or Morrison on the left.

Arsenal have not really set the league on fire yet. It's three games in, not long gone I know but for a while now Arsenal have not looked theirselves.

The slick pass and move game that saw them go an entire season unbeaten has gone. Vieira’s departure coupled with the fact that both Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg have become a little unreliable has meant that the Gooners don’t quite have the same fluidity of play.

The young Fabregas and Flamini have been trying, but they have not quite grasped the way to play football in the Premiership yet.

Up front Thierry Henry will surely cause us trouble and we should certainly expect this. And with Abel Xavier looking to impress on his debut, I’m sure Boro fans will see a few cynical attempts to play the ball from Abel.

Dennis Bergkamp although pure class, is coming to the end of his career and the head does not quite make up for the legs anymore. He is still a major danger but should Gareth and Ugo stay on their game then Boro will be fine.

Boro are yet to see their forwards hit it off this season. Some indifferent performances from £7.5 million Yakubu and from Jimmy Floyd have caused much concern. But Arsenal’s backline should not really give Boro their biggest test.

As our almost glorious trip to Highbury last season nearly uncovered, they cannot defend because they love attacking too much.

Boro need to exploit this, they need to soak up Arsenal pressure and spray the balls out wide, allow the midfield to support and before you know it we may even get a shot on target.

It’s a fairly easy game to call on the surface, but my head is telling me Arsenal will sneak it 3-2... but deep in my heart something is telling me Fabio and co will shock the masses and win 2-1. My fingers are well and truly crossed.

Probable Teams:

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Xavier, Ehiogu, Southgate, Pogatetz, Morrison, Boateng, Queudrue, Rochemback, Yakubu, Viduka

Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Lauren, Cole, Senderos, Hleb, Pires, Fabregas, Gilberto, Henry, Bergkamp

Form- Middlesbrough WDDLWL - Arsenal WLDWLW