Mathematically, Arsenal still alive for top four –Wenger

Sixth-placed Arsenal kept alive their hopes of finishing in the top four of the English Premier League after securing a 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough on Monday night.

Alexis Sanchez’s superb 42nd-minute free-kick gave Arsenal the lead into the break. The home side responded soon after the restart when Alvaro Negredo volleyed in Stewart Downing’s pinpoint cross on 50 minutes.

But Mesut Ozil helped Arsenal secure the much-needed three points from the tie with a first-time strike at the near post.

“The top four is mathematically still alive. We knew we needed to win,” Gunner boss Arsene Wenger said after the victory.

Read Also: Mourinho brags about ‘convincing’ victory against Chelsea

“We have to win every game to have a chance to get in the top four, starting tonight. I think it will make the team a bit more serene.”

The win – only Arsenal’s third in their past nine league games – moves the Gunners up to sixth, seven points behind fourth-place Manchester City and with a game in hand.

Middlesbrough, however, are the only side in English league football not to have won a league game since the start of 2017, and they remain deep in relegation trouble, six points from safety.

Boro caretaker boss Steve Agnew spoke after the defeat, saying: “We are bitterly disappointed with the result but the players gave everything they had. We couldn’t ask more of them.”

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