EPL: Middlesbrough v Arsenal
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Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
The Riverside Stadium
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Kick-off: 1.30pm (uk time) -
League table (as of 6th Dec):
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*Injured quartet likely to miss Boro clash*
Arsene Wenger does not expect to have his injured players back for Sunday's trip to Middlesbrough.
Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Alex Hleb (hamstring), Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Robin van Persie (knee) all missed the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday night and none of that quartet are likely to be involved when Arsenal return to the North East.
"No Fabregas, no Hleb, no Van Persie, no Flamini will be back for the weekend," said Wenger in his post-match press conference at St. James' Park. -
3-0 Arsenal
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I think it will be another draw. I bet ya we will be udner immense pressure just like the ones against villa and newcuntsle
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wah we got injury crisis!! die
Hopefully the team still find the recipe to win -
Flamini boost for Gunners
Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini should be back for Sunday's Premier League match at Middlesbrough.
A thigh injury ruled him out of last night's 1-1 draw at Newcastle, but Alex Hleb (hamstring) is unlikely to return. -
away leh, u anyhow 1 ahOriginally posted by corebooster:3-0 Arsenal
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Boateng looking forward to Arsenal challenge
Gareth Southgate's side have gone behind 12 times in 15 games this season and Boateng wants them to reverse the trend against the Gunners.
"I'm waiting for the game when we go 1-0 up because that will mean our luck has changed and we're going to win the game," he told the club's official website.
"Arsenal is a tough game but as strange as it may sound, I look forward to the challenge.
"We normally give them a good game so hopefully we can get the three points.
"I believe sometimes it's easier if you must win a game than if you can draw and you defend all the time. For us now, every game is a must-win game." -
fixture list looks tough for gunners
villa park
st james park
now riverside
3 away games straight.
think draw again -
yeah i think so too. but these past twomatches has been a reality check for arsenal players. they will step up i believe. there will be also away to everton,pompey..home to spuds and chelski. wah piang.Originally posted by F.raon.I.R:fixture list looks tough for gunners
villa park
st james park
now riverside
3 away games straight.
think draw again -
0-1 lor
since boro so lousy -
hmm...muz be write wrong.Originally posted by gigabyte14:away leh, u anyhow 1 ah
i mean.
Boro 1-3 Arsenal. -
possible wadddOriginally posted by corebooster:3-0 Arsenal
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Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer could return to action despite breaking his thumb. The Australian has trained this week and is yet to be ruled out.
Julio Arca (knee) and Robert Huth (ankle) are both in contention after long-term injuries, but striker Mido (groin) is out until the New Year.
Arsenal are without midfield trio Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh) and Alex Hleb (Achilles).
Robin van Persie (knee) is still out, while Abou Diaby (back) is sidelined.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Turnbull, Young, Taylor, Woodgate, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Huth, Hines, Cattermole, Rochemback, O'Neil, Boateng, Arca, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson, Craddock.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Diarra, Gilberto, Rosicky, Adebayor, Eduardo, Lehmann, Bendtner, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Senderos, Hoyte. -
another away match against struggle team without 3/4 of our key players.
i guess a draw for this match. -
Southgate: Boro won't fear Arsenal
Arsene Wenger's men arrive on Teesside on Sunday having not lost a Premier League game all season.
Southgate was at Newcastle on Wednesday evening to see Sam Allardyce's men muscle their way to a hard-fought point against the free-flowing league leaders, and while he admits his side are unlikely to take the same approach, he is adamant they cannot afford to let their opponents play.
He said: "They have had a tough week with two games where they have been stretched physically and mentally - and we have to make sure the third is exactly the same.
"Arsenal a couple of years ago did go unbeaten, but eventually, those records go.
"We have the opportunity to be the first to do that this season.
"But you have to be at your very best to get something against them. They are top-quality players.
"I love the way they play football - but we cannot stand and admire them, we cannot afford to give Arsenal time on the ball to play because they have the ability to destroy you if you do.
"We have got to go and do a job against them, and that's what we are intent on doing."
Skipper George Boateng, like his manager, is relishing the opportunity to test himself against the Gunners once again, with Boro have taken four points from their last two meetings on Teesside and returned from the Emirates Stadium last season with a draw.
However, the stakes are perhaps even higher than usual this weekend, with Southgate's men having slipped into the bottom three despite last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Reading.
Boateng said: "Our position has made it even more important, and the fact that Arsenal are in first in the league makes it also very important for them because they need to win their matches.
"But we are all very well aware of the fact that we need to get points.
"People will write us off against Arsenal because they play very good football, but I watched them against Newcastle and I think there are opportunities for us to explore.
"As much as it is a must-win game for us, it is also a must-win game for Arsenal."
Southgate could have keeper Mark Schwarzer back from a broken thumb and midfielder Julio Arca is available once again after recovering from a medial ligament injury.
However, it could be his defenders who find themselves under the greatest pressure as striker Emmanuel Adebayor attempts to get the visitors off to the same sort of start his superb fourth-minute volley handed them at St James' Park in midweek.
Southgate said: "He gives them a threat aerially in the box, which they did not have before.
"He was very impressive, certainly in the first half an hour, at St James' the other night, but that's for us to deal with and make sure we get the better of him."
Why everyone wants to end our unbeaten run? why not talk ending of liverpool's unbeaten run? -
and the amtch is 930pm spore time..am i right?
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ya. tmr 9.30pm.Originally posted by felirox:and the amtch is 930pm spore time..am i right? -
i donno whether to bet on tis match anot ?
looks tricky -
just bet for a one-nil win lor
i hope AW goes with this formation tmr.
almunia
sagna toure gallas clichy
eboue denilson diarra
rosicky
adebayor
If AW were to play eduardo..i really hope he wont put him at the left wing. he isnt cut-out to be a winger. he's a poacher. a striker. -
bet draw. sure safe.Originally posted by gunner77:i donno whether to bet on tis match anot ?
looks tricky -
I'll go forOriginally posted by felirox:just bet for a one-nil win lor
i hope AW goes with this formation tmr.
almunia
sagna toure gallas clichy
eboue denilson diarra
rosicky
adebayor
If AW were to play eduardo..i really hope he wont put him at the left wing. he isnt cut-out to be a winger. he's a poacher. a striker.
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Denilson Gilberto Diarra Rosicky
Adebayor Eduardo -
0-0
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confirm bo ?Originally posted by turbo_drift:bet draw. sure safe.