Arsenal 2 Middlesbrough 0: Captain Cesc Fabregas scored both goals as Arsenal warmed up for their Champions League semi-final against Manchester United with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are now all but safe in fourth place following a run of 20 league matches without defeat.
Andrey Arshavin, who smashed in four goals at Liverpool in midweek, was again inspirational this afternoon, but will not be eligible for the European clash against holders United.
With leading scorer Robin van Persie still sidelined by a groin problem, the double salvo by Fabregas — subject to a misconduct charge by the Football Association in the fall-out from the FA Cup tie against Hull — and the return to fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia could not have come at a better time.
With such a vital Champions League tie only some 72 hours away, manager Arsene Wenger would have been forgiven if he had rested a couple of his key men today in front of the watchful eyes of Alex Ferguson in the Emirates crowd.
However, Arsenal had named a strong starting XI and remained positive from the outset, with Theo Walcott — in his 100th appearance for the club — looking to get clear down the right and Arshavin deployed in a roaming role from the left.
The Gunners went ahead on 26 minutes. Nicklas Bendtner flicked the ball to Fabregas in the centre-circle, and the Arsenal captain immediately released Arshavin down the left. The Russian raced into the area before laying the ball back across into the path of the on-rushing Fabregas, who drilled his shot past Brad Jones, low in the far corner.
Arsenal made a change at the start of the second half when Mikael Silvestre, the ex-Manchester United defender, was replaced by Johan Djourou, fit again following a knee problem.
Boro almost snatched an equaliser when former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere took a through ball on his chest and raced into the area, but Almunia was quick off his line to make a crucial block.
At the other end, Fabregas and Emmanuel Eboue combined to tee-up Walcott six yards out, with Jones producing a quick reaction save.
In a warning for the hosts, Boro striker Marlon King fired an angled volley from Tony McMahon’s cross goalwards which Almunia held, but on 67 minutes, the Gunners cut the visitors’ defence open again.
Arshavin stepped inside to find a square pass to Eboue, who slid the ball through into the path of Fabregas.
Jones rushed out to close down the Arsenal captain, but was promptly rounded before Fabregas rolled the ball into the net. With the points safe and one eye on next week’s clash with United, Arsenal made a double change with 22 minutes left when Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Adebayor came on, replacing Fabregas and Walcott.
The Gunners played out the closing stages to record a first win over Boro since January 2006 to go into Wednesday’s clash at Old Trafford full of confidence.
