Putting Arsene Wenger's contract talks aside, the current situtation at Arsenal has reached boiling point and the Gunners face the stark possibility of losing five away games on the trot when they face Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Monday.
Wenger remains adamant that the managerial uncertainity isn't affecting the players but Monday's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace only reinforced that viewpoint - and Boro will be desperate to replicate the performance of Sam Allardyce's men.
"Nothing [has changed]. I focus on what is important for me, that is the performance of the team and what the fans are interested in is the performance of the team," Wenger said.
"We spend a lot of time in our society to focus on things that are superficial and not take care of the essentials. The essential in football is that we have to make sure of one thing. Good players on the football pitch. That’s what we have to take care of."
ARSENAL INJURIES
Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech are 80 per cent likely to be involved after returning to training following their injury problems.
"From the last game, I believe that we have a chance of getting Petr Cech back in the squad. Laurent Koscielny is joining in today," said Wenger.
"If their tests are positive, they will come back into the squad for Monday’s game."
Next Match
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Lucas Perez, David Ospina and Santi Cazorla are all sidelined.
ARSENAL SUSPENSIONS
Arsenal have no suspended players for this match.
ARSENAL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Olivier Giroud could start up front after being benched in recent games, while Alexis is likely to continue on the left flank.
Arsenal failings in big games exposed
Alex Iwobi is set to return to the squad following a surprise appearance for the under-23s against Reading and Mohamed Elneny could continue alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield.
The return of Laurent Koscielny is likely to mean he will be back in the starting XI next to Shkodran Mustafi.
MIDDLESBROUGH DOSSIER
Boro are currently six points adrift of safety with seven games remaining in the Premier League.
Their last victory was in December last year and they have only scored 22 goals in 31 matches, making them the lowest scorers in the league.
Steve Agnew's side are still without Fabio and George Friend while Calum Chambers also misses out against his parent club.
Premier League table
Alvaro Negredo is their top scorer with eight goals.
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
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Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last four Premier League home games against Arsenal (W2 D2), although this will be the first meeting at the Riverside since December 2008.
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Arsenal's 7-0 win over Middlesbrough in January 2006 is their joint-largest margin of victory in Premier League history (alongside 7-0 v Everton in May 2005).
- Olivier Giroud is the only current member of the Arsenal squad to have netted against Middlesbrough in any competition (two in the FA Cup).
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The Gunners haven't lost five successive top flight away games since December 26, 1984.
- Middlesbrough have conceded more goals against Arsenal than against any other opponent in the Premier League (62 in 29 games).
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
Kick off is at 20:00 BST (3 p.m. ET) on Monday, 17 April and the match is live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK and on NBCSN in the US.
