'Boro v Arsenal - Opposition Preview'

'Boro v Arsenal - Opposition Preview'

Arsenal blog "Daily Cannon" chat to oneBoro ahead of the Premier League clash.

Firstly, we have to ask about the situation at Arsenal. What do you make of Wenger’s position at the club and what has gone wrong for you recently? Will Wenger be manager at the start of next season?

I’m a huge Wenger supporter and it took me longer than most to get to the point where I thought he had to go, but his time has come now and it’s painful to watch. He will be still in charge of Arsenal next season unless something really dramatic happens between now and the end of the season. He shouldn’t be.

What have you made of Boro this season?

I was expecting more from your side, if I’m honest but it seems as if you’ve enjoyed a lot of misfortune. In this league, that really can be the difference maker.

Where do you think both Boro and Arsenal will finish this season?

This will be the first time in 22 years that Arsenal finish below Tottenham and with their current form, top 4 looks like a pipe dream. I’d rather we missed out on Europe altogether if that’s the case, have a season with less football so the club can regroup. As for Boro, I think you’re going to struggle to get out of the relegation zone, unfortunately. That kinda makes me feel like a spoilt brat for complaining about where Arsenal are.

How do you think Arsenal will line up on Monday evening?

It’s hard to tell what Wenger will do. The side that started against Palace was the best we had available but the whole lot of them deserve to be dropped. Petr Cech is expected back, but he’s been poor all season too (aim for his near post, you’ll score with ease). Laurent Koscielny should be back, that will help Arsenal immensely. My predicted Xi would be: Martinez, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis.

What do you think are Arsenal's strengths and weaknesses and who would you say is your key player?

Arsenal don’t have many strengths at the minute and they seem to be one big weakness. We are toothless going forward and a shambles at the back. We lack leadership, organisation and are mentally weak. If Boro can apply pressure and manage to sneak a goal, we will wobble.

What is your favourite memory from past Boro v Arsenal fixtures?

Has to be Kanu’s backheel volley from a corner... or the 7-0.

And finally, what is your prediction for Monday’s match please?

I’m hoping Arsenal can get a win but Boro held us at the Emirates and we’re worse now than we were then.

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