Source: Telegraph
Cesc Fabregas double gives Arsenal win over poor Middlesbrough
Arsenal hardly broke sweat in what was, at times, less a competitive match, less a training exercise and more an exhibition of the talents of Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri.[LNB]If Ferguson learned little in advance of Arsenal's Champions League visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday, Wenger's knowledge of Manchester United was hardly enhanced over the weekend. The Frenchman admitted he "only saw the first half'' of United's game with Spurs, a little like catching only the opening 45 minutes of Istanbul 2005 or leaving "Romeo and Juliet'' at the interval. Plots can change.[LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League actionPremier League tableTelegraph player raterPremier League highlights'New tax will drive away stars'Liverpools title dreams suffer setback as Arsenals Andrei Arshavin stuns AnfieldOne script remains unaltered: Middlesbrough are in serious trouble. Boro were poor, deservedly slumping to their 10th successive away defeat, equalling a club record dating back to the days when London's roads were clogged with soldiers rushing to the Siege of Sidney Street rather than marathon runners heading down the Mall.[LNB]That year, 1911, also saw the Titanic launched and four icebergs now stretch between the good ship Boro and safety. Gareth Southgate's side host Ferguson's United and Aston Villa and must travel to Newcastle United and West Ham United. That May 11 trip to St James' Park may define the fate of two North-eastern clubs.[LNB]Southgate's side need to be more ambitious, more predatory and far more intelligent in picking up opponents like Fabregas, who twice glided forward to finish off moves. As Ferguson will have noted after enjoying Arsenal's board-room hospitality, Wenger again deployed his captain in a more advanced position, scheming behind Nicklas Bendtner in a 4-2-3-1 formation.[LNB]No Boro player sought to wrest control of the game from Fabregas, barring a late challenge from Stewart Downing. Neither Robert Huth nor David Wheater moved out to meet the gathering danger created by the Spaniard. "It's difficult for the centre-halves,'' explained Southgate. "It's awkward to push the line high. I thought should I play a deep-lying midfielder but it's not worked for us in the past.''[LNB]United are unlikely to be so lax in tracking Fabregas. But Arsenal also boast other threats, notably Theo Walcott, that streak of human lightning down the right, and Nasri, who excelled in deep midfield here, pulling the strings as he did at Marseille, but the Frenchman is expected to move left in place of the ineligible Arshavin against United (with Alex Song stepping up from the bench).[LNB]Arshavin will be much missed. Although his shooting was spectacularly amiss, air-shots replacing the air-borne missiles of Anfield last week, the Russian moved further into the affections of Arsenal fans. His skill and work-rate are a delight: one flick and dart around Tony McMahon conjured up memories of Dennis Bergkamp deceiving Nikos Dabizas at St James' Park.[LNB]Arshavin's use of possession is invariably inspired and his personality has also brought another ray of sunshine into the Emirates. On signing for the club, Arshavin's first words to the supporters was "I am Gooner''. He has also impressed club employees by talking knowledgeably about Arsenal's history, including an awareness of their prominence under Herbert Chapman in the Thirties. He speaks decent English, rare for a new foreign signing, and actually smiles on the pitch, rare for any modern player. Wenger has bought a gem and the decision to leave him out of the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea remains a deepening mystery.[LNB]Arshavin was twice involved in Arsenal's first goal. Standing in his own half, he passed to Bendtner, who neatly flicked play to Fabregas. Arshavin was off and running, charging down the left, soon joined by a fine pass from Fabregas. Five touches on, Arshavin delivered a cut-back to Fabregas, whose half-volley sped past Brad Jones. It was a sensational goal, marred only by a suspicion that Jones' view was blocked by Bendtner running into an offside position, and therefore interfering with play.[LNB]Boro now needed to do something that no visiting team have managed here in the Premier League since Robbie Keane was a Liverpool player, scoring at the Emirates on December 21. When Downing swept in a 30th-minute corner, Bendtner appeared to handle. Penalty screamed Boro. Play on replied Chris Foy. Boro's support was good, and given brief hope when Downing let fly, forcing a low save from Manuel Almunia, who then raced out to smother Jeremie Aliadiere's shot. The life drained from Boro.[LNB]Midway through the second period, Arsenal doubled their lead. Emmanuel Eboue slipped the ball down the inside-right channel, Jones came rushing out, but Fabregas swept the ball past him, ran on and fired back into the net. Huth slid in but to Fabregas' shot was too hard.[LNB]Only Huth, Downing and Gary O'Neil emerged with credit enhanced for Boro and the latter two will probably be sold should the Championship beckon. A sensibly-run club, with a starting XI yesterday costing around the £12m Arsenal spent on Arshavin and a promising manager in Southgate, Boro have four games to save themselves, starting with Manchester United next weekend. Fabregas and company must also survive their Ferguson challenge. [LNB]
