Arca reveals red card fear

Arca: Fortunate

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• Julio Arca

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Julio Arca has admitted that he expected to see red for his dangerous challenge at Fulham on Saturday.

The Middlesbrough midfielder clattered into Cottagers striker Andy Johnson, catching the England international high and late.

The Argentine escaped with only a caution from the match officials and accepts that he was let off lightly.

Arca does, however, insist that there was no malice in his poorly-timed tackle and is relieved that Johnson walked away from the incident unscathed.

"I thought the ref would give me a red card," he told the Evening Gazette.

"But I never meant to go in like that. I meant to cover the ball and he was too quick for me.

"Suddenly he was there and I couldn't take my foot out.

"I saw the challenge on TV and it looked bad. I apologised to him and I am thankful that he was OK.

"I would have been really disappointed if he had been injured.

No excuses

"Hopefully it won't happen again. People who know me know that I am not that type of player.

"I just want to get on now and help the team to win games.

"We have no excuses after Saturday (a 3-0 defeat). But we have had two good sessions this week in training and we are all looking forward to Boxing Day."

Boro welcome Everton to the Riverside Stadium on Friday, with Arca keen to help Gareth Southgate's men avoid being dragged into the Premier League relegation battle.

"It's a very close league this year," he added.

"I think in general we have played some very good football but we have missed out in the last three or four games because decisions have gone against us.

"Decisions change games but we have to concentrate on our game and play better than we did at Fulham.

"We know the supporters are disappointed and we have to expect the criticism we have had.

"Now we have to move forward and perform. We need to be in a higher position in the league."