The result yesterday was as expected. Middlesbrough, despite all the talk from Gareth Southgate indicating otherwise, seem to have accepted their fate as relegation fodder. Arsenal have sewn up 4^th place and played with their minds on Wednesday’s clash with United.

We were fluent throughout the game, but it must be said that Middlesbrough allowed us to play our game. Somehow I doubt Manchester United will afford us that luxury. I would have rather it if Middlesbrough made it more difficult for us, as a sparring partner they have done us a disservice.

As preparation for games go I’d say that instead of the game being a rehearsal for the next game, it was a rehearsal for next season. The good thing being that Djourou was able to get some minutes under his belt and players like Cesc, and Walcott was able to be taken off quite early in the game.

Wenger tried Nasri in a more central role, in fact in a defensive midfield role which I think he is able to pull off quite well. He has the bite and the willingness to make tackles and break up the opposition’s play. Whether or not it is a role that maximises the use of his talents remains to be seen.

Usually Fabregas plays deeper with Nasri higher. I wanted to test how it would work the other way round. It could be reiterated that we will do it again because it was quite convincing. But that is open, we have 48 hours to study that then make a decision.

Quite how that is supposed to work without Arshavin on the left, I’m not sure. Like I said next season when the Russian or someone else is available on the left, but not on Wednesday.

Cesc was again pushed up in that attacking-midfield-off-the-striker position that Gerard plays for Liverpool. The player (Fabregas) admits that he is still learning that position, and yesterday showed us that he is a very quick learner.

A couple of unsavoury tackles on the captain left us heart in mouth, but Cesc came through OK. According to Wenger

He told me it was the knee that he had before and we don’t like that. But he told me after the game that the ankle is worse than the knee so it’s not too bad. The referee told me he played the ball, Downing told me that as well. But he didn’t play only the ball. It’s always difficult to say if it’s intentional or not, if it is to aggravate or not.

So a good result and some confidence ahead of the first half of the champions league semis. Still on an unbeaten streak, and finally a win for Wenger against Southgate.

Check back tomorrow for a look at the upcoming game. Don’t forget to leave your thought is the comment sections, thanks.