Middlesbrough 1-2 Arsenal player ratings: Alexis Sanchez impresses as Gunners return to winning ways
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Arsenal got a much-needed win to heap misery on Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, both linked with moves away from the Gunners, sealed a 2-1 victory with Alvaro Negredo finding the net for Boro.
The result leaves the Teessiders six points adrift of safety, while Arsene Wenger's side move to within seven points of fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.
Sanchez caught the eye of our man Simon Bird - but who was your man of the match in the north east?
Here are the full player ratings...
Middlesbrough
Guzan 4 - In for Valdez who had suffered a rib injury
Barragan 6 - Great clearance off line from Ramsey volley
(Photo: PA)
Ayala 6 - Lucky not to concede penalty wrestling Giroud at a corner
Gibson 6 - A big test for the highly rated England prospect
Fabio 6 - Subbed early with another bout of concussion
Clayton 7 - Work hourse of Boro side and a solid performer
Leadbitter 7 - Booked. Gets stuck in and has contributed creatively on his recent starts
Ramirez 5 - Clever chip into box set up disallowed goal
(Photo: REUTERS)
De Roon 6 - Drifts into some nice positions without reward
Downing 7 - Local boy adds made the equaliser with cross for Negredo
Negredo 7 - Often looks isolated in this Boro formation but got them level
Subs - Friend (Fabio 17) 6, Traore (Ramirez 68) 6
Arsenal
Cech - Had little chance stopping Negredo’s goal
Gabriel 6 - Booked. Had to stay strong to keep Negredo at bay
(Photo: PA)
Koscielny 6 - Had no idea where Negredo was when he sneaked in to score
Holding 6 - Coped well in his first league start since August
Oxlade-Chamberlain 5 - Booked. Played as an attacking right back. Unusual.
Xhaka 6 - Won the free kick on edge of box for opening goal
Ramsey 6 - Good volley was cleared off the line
(Photo: 2017 Getty Images)
Monreal 5 - Wing back for the night and was outpaced by Downing for goal
Sanchez 7 - Moment of free kick magic from the most influentuial player
Ozil 6 - Drifted around without doing much until he came alive to score
Giroud 6 - Tried to provide focal point. Wrestled by defence