Middlesbrough vs Arsenal | EPL

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Mikael Silvestre feels that although Arsenal have proved their title credentials this season they must find some consistency if they are to have a chance of finishing top of the Premier League.

The Frenchman made his debut for the Club at left back in the 2-0 defeat at Porto on Wednesday. It was Arsenal’s sixth reverse in major competitions this season but, perversely, they have won their games against other members of the so-called ‘Big Four’.

As a veteran of numerous title-wins at Manchester United, Silvestre knows all too well that peak-and-trough performances will not be enough in the long run.

“We proved [by winning] against Man United and Chelsea that the quality is there so we just have to get the consistency,” he said.

“The season is long. It is difficult if you judge the team on the strength of Porto but you cannot expect to perform like that and win anything. The squad is big and there are going to be points to catch - on the road to Middlesbrough on Saturday first of all. It’s going to be tough but we have got time to grow up.

"We've made it difficult for ourselves so far but we are still in the race.”

Arsenal may have as many as five first-team players back for the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Gael Clichy (hamstring), Cesc Fabregas (knee), Robin van Persie (thigh), Emmanuel Adebayor (rested) and Bacary Sagna (flu) could all return at The Riverside. Doubts remain over the last of those but the preceding quartet should be available.

However Kolo Toure (calf) and Samir Nasri (ankle) are still sidelined, along with long-term absentees Eduardo (leg) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring).

“Sagna, Clichy, Fabregas, Van Persie and Adebayor have a reasonable chance to come back,” Arsène Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. “Perhaps less certain is Sagna but the other four should be alright.

“However Kolo Toure will still be out and so will Samir Nasri. Plus, of course, the injured players we had before.”

Wenger says Title race is still wide open....
i really dont understand what is going on with our team.
do we lack confidence or is this our level....

Manager Arsène Wenger is adamant that the title race is still wide open, despite the Gunners failing to capitalise on a day when both Manchester United and Liverpool drew their games.

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough but had taken the lead in the game only to surrender that lead a few minutes later.

Wenger said: "The league is wide open but we are in a position that every point we drop we are asked about it.

"I understand that, but champions are people who never stop and we can show that belief to keep going.

"We can do that in the next game.

"Of course [it is an enormous task], but we don't think about that at the moment.

"We must just believe that each next game is one to reduce the distance between us and Liverpool."