Arsenal must win to get three points and catch Villa. Before they got draw score with Liverpool

Arsenal are without striker Robin Van Persie, who has a groin injury, while Middlesbrough get back midfielder Gary O’Neil from suspension.

O’Neil is set to start for Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough side, while fellow midfielder Didier Digard may be on the bench after two months out with ligament damage.

Definitely sidelined for Boro is captain Emanuel Pogatetz - his place in defence will be taken by Robert Huth, while fellow defender Chris Riggott will face a late fitness test on his ankle injury.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be buoyed by the news that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Johan Djourou are all fit again and in contention to start.

Nicklas Bendtner may drop to the bench to make way for Adebayor, while Almunia is certain to replaced Lukas Fabianski in goal.

Posted by sportslive at 10:02