Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough – 26/04/09 – (Premier League) 27 April, 2009

Well that was a bit of a formality. A sunny day at Ashburton Grove and clearly a not very important end of season game was played out in a relaxed mood. With Villa drawing with Bolton and Everton losing against Man City the previous day our 4th place spot was under no pressure. In fact, yesterdays win means we’re now 10 points clear of Villa with only 12 points left to play for.

The visitors weren’t exactly giving their all either, surprising when they’re sat 18th in the table and facing possible relegation. If I was one of those ‘Boro fans who had traveled down to London I would’ve been fucking furious with my team’s effort. They never for a second looked like a team with anything to play for. They should be fighting for their lives at this stage of the season! For a large period of the game they were still in it and they never showed any fight to get forward and scrap a goal. I don’t care personally, but it was rather pathetic. Newcastle play Pompey tonight and you can be sure the Geordie’s will give everything whether they’re good enough or not.

Anyway, back to us and it was nice to see Cesc Fabregas back scoring again. He got both goals bringing his total to just three for the season. He played a more advanced role yesterday, which Wenger admitted was an experiment ahead of the United game. With no Arshavin or van Persie and Eduardo still not 100% he’s got a decision to make on who will partner Adebayor. Samir Nasri played centrally and did a decent job in an unfamiliar role.

Manuel Almunia was back starting again; he made a couple of decent stops in an otherwise uneventful day for him. Good bit of match practice though. Eboue came in for Sagna who didn’t look quite right at Anfield, I’m hoping Bacary is feeling a bit better for Wednesday night.

The game started as it continued with us in possession and dictating play. ‘Boro did not look dangerous and if anyone was going to score it was going to be us. Not saying we were playing really that well, it just looked really easy for us out there.

Our opener took 26 minutes to arrive. The move started off with Bendtner’s back-heel to Fabregas who sent Arshavin clear down the left. He made a good run, held the ball up to wait for support then picked out Fabregas perfectly in a crowed box who finished to make it 1-0 to The Arsenal.

The goal gave us a bit more confidence and we were looking for another goal to finish them off. Walcott smashed a shot from the right, which looked like it was creeping inside the far post, but it wasn’t to be.

Both of those saves that I mentioned earlier by Almunia came either side of half time. The first was a long-range drive from Downing, which Manuel did well to get to and hold to this left. The second was from when Aliadiere went through one-on-one but his late shot came off Almunia’s legs. A bit lucky there with the second save but he did his job. A goal at either of those opportunities would’ve been perfect for ‘Boro but it wasn’t to be, with neither of those going in for them it was just never going to be their day.

At the break Silvestre was withdrawn through injury and Djourou came on making his return from injury. I don’t think Wenger expected to have to risk him but he came through unharmed (I presume, *touch wood*) so was a decent run-out before the trip to Old Trafford.

After that early Aliadiere scare we were back in control again. It took us a little while to find that second but it did eventually come in the 67th minute. Eboue played a ball over the top, which Fabregas got on to. He rounded the ‘keeper who had rushed out to try and block it and it was an easy tap-in for Cesc. Middlesbrough nil, Fabregas two.

Immediately he was withdrawn, as was Walcott in preparation for Wednesday. Adebayor and Diaby were given the final 20 minutes, which were played even more relaxed than the previous 70. We never really broke sweat.

Arshavin had a couple of spooned shots which was quite funny and the crowd sarcastically cheered them both. I do hope he took the joke too, I’m sure he knows he won enough people over at Anfield.

So it ended up 2-0 and that’s all there really was to say about the game! Was nice being at the Grove again watching the Arsenal, and was nice to be watching in such a relaxed atmosphere! Too many times I’ve been there this season it’s felt like we have been scrapping for our lives.

It was clear that we had one eye on the Champions League Semi final up in Manchester Wednesday night. We can start looking forward to that now and I’ll bring you a match preview tomorrow. Until then, thanks for reading.