Gunners hunting first win
08 Sep 2006 - 07:44:47
Arsene Wenger's Arsenal aim to win their first Premiership match of the season when inconsistent Middlesbrough visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners have failed to impress in their opening two domestic games of the campaign - drawing with Aston Villa before losing 1-0 at Manchester City.
Injuries remain a concern for Wenger with Lauren, Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos all currently sidelined. Lauren is out until the end of this month after having knee surgery while Clichy's foot injury is expected to keep him out of action until October.
Senderos also faces another four weeks in the treatment room as he recovers from the dislocated shoulder he suffered representing Switzerland at this summer's World Cup finals, while Wenger does not expect Diaby to be ready for action until November as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury.
Wenger could be tempted to field transfer deadline day signings Julio Baptista and William Gallas, while Theo Walcott may earn a start after netting for the England Under-21 side in Switzerland on Wednesday.
New Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has seen the full range of his side's form in the first three games of the season. After leading Reading 2-0 on the opening day, Boro contrived to lose 3-2 to Steve Coppell's side before responding by beating Chelsea 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium.
Only five days later Southgate's side crumbled to an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to Portsmouth. However, the former England international has strengthened his defensive options since that rout, bringing Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth to Teesside as well as striker Jason Euell on transfer deadline day.
Chris Riggott damaged ankle ligaments in a training ground accident in midweek and faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines. Summer signing Julio Arca looks set to miss Saturday's game because of a broken foot while Ugo Ehiogu's injury problems continue - the former Aston Villa central defender has an Achilles problem.
Last season at Highbury, Arsenal thrashed Boro 7-0 with Thierry Henry grabbing a hat-trick.