I really hope Middlesbrough win this game.
Arsenal have got fourth spot sewn up and they've got a big Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, so I'm hoping Middlesbrough can catch them on the hop.
I was at Middlesbrough in the 1997-98 season when we were promoted and it's phenomenal what they've achieved in the decade since then. I just hope they stay up and to do that I think they've got to try to avoid getting beat on Sunday.
Southgate: can he cause a shock?
They failed to win at home last week and people are worried because their next two games are Arsenal and Man United. However, I think the fixtures have fallen alright because the games fall in the middle of the Champions League semi-finals. That could be a big advantage for Middlesbrough.
However, the way Middlesbrough have been defending ain't been clever and they can't score goals either. They've only scored 25 league goals and there can't be many top-flight teams around Europe with so few.
Arsenal's defending was shocking and if anybody tells me they weren't lucky then I don't know what game they were watching.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
1pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
They put all of their eggs in one basket by spending a lot of money on Afonso Alves and quite simply he hasn't produced. He's let Gareth Southgate down.
Gareth must be tempted to play 10 at the back because he'd be happy as Larry with a point here. The teams around them will look at this game and say Middlesbrough will get nothing, that's how it works at this stage of the season. They'll say they're not worried about other people's results, but in reality they will all be watching and hoping Middlesbrough lose.
Big boys
I'd be surprised if Arsenal put out all of the big boys. Robin van Persie is injured and I think Arsene Wenger leave out the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and maybe Theo Walcott.
They're struggling for defenders, so I don't think they can take a chance with Kolo Toure either. If he plays and gets injured they will be in trouble for Wednesday night.
Arsenal weren't at full strength on Tuesday and managed four goals against Liverpool, but they were very, very lucky in that game. They had four shots on target and Liverpool wiped the floor with them in the second half. Arsenal's defending was shocking and if anybody tells me they weren't lucky then I don't know what game they were watching.
Andrey Arshavin was a different class and he will almost certainly play in this game because he's ineligible for the Champions League. He could whip through Middlesbrough if they defend like they normally do.
Gareth has a tough decision to make. If they go there and mix it with Arsenal then they could get a hiding, but if they look at the tape of Arsenal's defending on Tuesday he might be tempted to have a go at them.
If I were him I'd keep it cautious and if they are still in the game with 15 minutes to go maybe he could see what happens.
I really hope they can take something away, but with the way Middlesbrough defend I can't see it happening.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - I think Arsenal will win 3-0, but my heart wants to see a Middlesbrough win because Arsenal aren't playing for anything. Gareth hasn't had a lot of luck and I hope he gets a break.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Andrey Arshavin - I'm sure he's going to play because he can't play in the Champions League (although you never know with Arsene Wenger). He is a top-drawer player and if Arsenal sign a centre-half and a dominant central midfielder he can take them to another level next year.
Comments (6)
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Jake Howarth (Aston Villa fan) says...
You say Arsenal have fourth sewn up, but if they do get shocked here and Villa and Everton win then they'll be 4 and 5 points respectively behind Arsenal, with Arsenal having to play United and Chelsea still and, potentially crucially, having to play more games as well with those semi-finals. Having said that, they won't slip up here, but I'm just saying be careful what you wish for Paul!
Posted 14:53 24th April 2009
Peter Rhoden (Middlesbrough fan) says...
Im glad to hear you want us to stay up. The best season i have ever seen as a boro fan was our last promotion form the old first division. To be fair, we have been poor since mid november. At one point we are 8th in the table and we were quite optimistic. We have been unlucky with injuries - silly suspensions and poor reffering decisions - e.g. wheater sent off at Hull! But i think boro could shock a few people in the next couple of games!
Posted 14:44 24th April 2009
Theo Walcott (Arsenal fan) says...
Arsenal were lucky at Anfield? I don't think anything Arshavin did there was lucky. He has showed how good he is for quite a while now.
Posted 14:06 24th April 2009
Callum Ogden (Middlesbrough fan) says...
I see what merson is saying but Arsene Wenger will be putting out a weakend side and for boro it will be all or nothing, I see the boro getting some thing in this game because they always seem to do it against the big clubs such as against liverpool in there last win and arsenal have not done great against the teams near the bottom like hull and stoke this season, so I think or should I say I hope boro will get some thing in this game.
Posted 12:19 24th April 2009
Brian Kandiye (Arsenal fan) says...
Boro have been poor all season and they have been in relegation form all season.I dont see them getting anything from Arsenal even with the champions league games on wednesday coming up as Arsenal have genuine class in reserve with lads like vela,ramsey,eboue and even bendtner capable of walking into the boro side any day of the week.No other side has been dissected with injuries all season as have Arsenal yet they have done so well to be wher they are now.Were it not for early defeats to the likes of stoke,fulham ,hull ,they would certainly be challenging for the title.Poor sides should go down and in all honesty,boro have been poor alongside Newcastle,Blackburn,and to me there has been no progress at boro for mant seasons
Posted 11:21 24th April 2009
Sansomite Afc (Arsenal fan) says...
You're an Arsenal legend Paul, but I disagree and think Arsenal still have 3rd place to play for (or even 2nd if Liverpool keep drawing!)... thinking that Arsenal have nothing to play for is why Liverpool won't win the league this year (see 4-4 at Anfield). Liverpool were hit by a classic Arsenal counter-attacking performance at Anfield, though I agree we were lucky. I see a comfortable 3/4-0 on Sunday and a draw with Manure mid week (we'll win the game at the Emirates.
Posted 11:05 24th April 2009
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