Middlesbrough's French striker Jeremie Aliadiere has said Arsenal will win the Premier League title, despite losing their unbeaten run at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.
Aliadiere, who won the hosts a fourth-minute penalty against his former club to set up the 2-1 victory, said that Arsenal deserved to be top of the Premier League table - they currently lead Manchester United by a point.
He said: "They are not top of the table for nothing. The way they have played this season is unbelievable and I still think they will win the league.
"They had a lot of players missing yesterday and when they are back they will win the title. I just think it's the way Arsenal get their results. I have been watching their games and they are the best team."
The 24-year-old, who spent eight years under Arsene Wenger at the North London club, said that Gareth Southgate had prepared his team well for the league leaders' visit.
Aliadiere said: "They were not worse than I thought. We made them have a game.
"We decided to press them from the start to the end and a team like Arsenal does not like that. If you don't let them play it is difficult for any team.
"I've been waiting for this game all season. It's my old team, and the first time I've played against Arsenal and I was very much motivated to win."
The Frenchman also said the absence of midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb contributed to a disappointing Arsenal performance.
He said: "They did not miss just Fabregas but Alexander Hleb as well, who has been doing an unbelievable job. Those two players create a lot of chances and a lot of things for Arsenal which they missed yesterday."
