Afternoon everyone! We have another round of juicy Premier League fixtures for you to delve into. We have eight matches in the calendar today, and right here we will be focusing on two teams with very different objectives. Arsenal take on Middlesbrough at the Emirates with the hope of claiming their eighth consecutive win in all competitions, while Boro are desperate for a win as they sit one place above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Arsenal are title contenders every year, but they always seem to fall short in the closing stages of the season. Could it really be their year this time, though? Arsene Wenger's side certainly look like genuine challengers and after six straight league wins, they are the team in form. The North London outfit currently sit second in the table, level on points with leaders Manchester City. Since Pep Guardiola's team do not play until tomorrow, Arsenal could go top with a win today.

As for Middlesbrough, well, it has not been the best few weeks for Aitor Karanka and his team. The club sit 17th in the standings after picking up just one win in eight, and that was in August when they sealed a 2-1 triumph over Sunderland. Since then, they have recorded two stalemates and four defeats. It may be the early stages of the season, but Boro need to start picking up points soon otherwise they will be staring at a relegation battle.

Before we go any further, let's bring you the lineups for both sides...

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Elneny, Coquelin; Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Reine-Adelaide, Maitland-Niles, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lucas

MIDDLESBROUGH XI: Valdes; Barragan, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, De Roon, Forshaw, Traore, Ramirez; Negredo
Subs: Guzan, Bernardo, Fabio de Sart, Stuani, Downing, Nugent

Wenger has made four changes to the side that thumped Ludogorets in the Champions League as Petr Cech replaces David Ospina in goal, while Nacho Monreal comes in for Kieran Gibbs at full-back. Santi Cazorla is out of today's squad altogether, so Mohamed Elneny comes into the midfield alongside Francis Coquelin. Alex Iwobi also comes into the fold, resulting in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dropping to the bench. Grant Xhaka is not available as he serves a three-match suspension.

Also, a potential debut this afternoon...

This man is on the bench for #AFCvMFC

Find out more about Ainsley ➡️ https://t.co/vfp0a6qJ18 pic.twitter.com/JyQoKY6UwO — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 22, 2016

As for Boro, Aitor Karanka has made three changes to his team as Dani Ayala comes into the defence to replace Calum Chambers, who is on loan from Arsenal and therefore not allowed to play against them. Adam Clayton comes into the midfield, while Adama Traore also starts. Cristhian Stuani and Stewart Downing drop out.

At the moment, everybody is talking about Arsenal potentially winning the Premier League title this season. We've been here before, haven't we? This time, though, it's hard to argue given the current form that they're in. As mentioned, they have won their last seven matches in all competitions and they are the most in-form team in the Premier League having won their last six games on the trot.

The team seems in much better shape than previous seasons. They have a much sturdier defence with Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny partnering at the back, and key players have been performing. Mesut Ozil in particular has been consistently strong for the Gunners, while Theo Walcott has found a new lease of life after spending the majority of last season out of the team due to injuries and lack of form.

Two players who have been in the headlines of late have been Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. The pair have opened talks with the club about extending their contracts, both of which expire at the end of next season. However, reports have claimed that both are demanding significantly increased wages before signing on the dotted line.

Earlier this week when asked about the situation, Wenger told reporters: "I think these kind of players can raise a little bit above the financial aspect of the game because they are not poor and they have to look really at the football side.

"It is more about whether the club can meet their needs on the football front. If 'yes' then a Premier League club can find an agreement with the players. We still keep values we have at the club, of course, and we pay what we can afford.

"We still have a scale of wages, but don't worry, they are all paid well. It's normal players try to get the maximum out of the negotiations. They have to feel you meet their needs at the club and they get paid for it."

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Arsenal currently have the joint best attack in the league along with Manchester City having scored 19 goals in the top flight, with an average of 2.38 per game. Their winning run in the league has extended to six games, and in that time that have scored 16 goals, but kept a clean sheet in just two of them.

The run began with a 3-1 victory over promoted side Watford, with Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil finding the back of the net. The Gunners followed that up with a 2-1 win over Southampton, but they just edged to victory thanks to a 94th-minute penalty from Cazorla. It was a more convincing win the following week when they took apart Hull City 4-1 at the KCOM Stadium.

The following match against Chelsea was arguably the one that convinced people that Arsenal were serious contenders for the title as they dominated a 3-0 victory. Sanchez, Walcott and Ozil scored the goals inside the first 40 minutes of the encounter and Chelsea failed to get back into the game. The Gunners carried that momentum into the next game as they earned a late 1-0 win over Burnley.

Last weekend, Arsenal faced Bob Bradley's Swansea City side and it was not the simplest of run-outs for the team. Walcott gave Arsenal a 2-0 lead inside the first 33 minutes, but Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled one back for the visitors. Ozil restored the Gunners' two-goal advantage in the second half, but they did not see the game out that comfortably as Borja Baston scored in the 66th minute and Granit Xhaka was sent off 20 minutes from time. Despite that, Arsenal held on to their win.

Wenger gave an interesting description of the Premier League during his pre-match press conference. He likened it to surviving in a jungle! Not the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here' jungle, we hope!

He told reporters: "We live in a jungle where everybody wants to eat you, and you have to survive by keeping your vigilance. That's what competition is about. Every day you have to fight again to survive. I believe that humility is to understand that you start again from zero."

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DID YOU KNOW? Arsenal have been trailing for just 52 minutes this season, which is less than any other side in the Premier League. Also, Wenger has celebrated just two of his birthdays with wins in the top flight - one was a 1-0 triumph over Manchester City in 2005 and another was a 4-0 rout over Reading in 2006.

So, what's going on with Middlesbrough? Well, given that they came up to the Premier League from the Championship last season, they were automatically going to be named as one of the teams likely to be in the relegation battle, and as it stands, they are. The club currently sit 17th in the standings, and they are only out of the bottom three because they have a better goal difference than Stoke City.

The start of the campaign was rather positive for Karanka and his side as they managed to take a point from their opening fixture against Stoke at the Riverside. Their next fixture was a trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland, where they came home as 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Cristhian Stuani, and they also picked up a point from their visit to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion.

When September rolled around, though, things started going downhill for Boro as they suffered three consecutive defeats. They managed to score a goal in each of them, but they were unable to take anything away from the games as they were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace, 3-1 by Everton and 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur. Karanka's side managed to go ahead against West Ham thanks to Stan's 51st-minute goal, but Dimitri Payet scored six minutes later to ensure that the Hammers took a point. Last weekend, there was more disappointment for Boro as they were beaten 1-0 by Watford.

Boro are by far the underdogs against Arsenal this afternoon, but they could do with getting something out of the game considering the fixtures they have coming up. After facing the Gunners, Karanka's team will take on Bournemouth, Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester City before the end of November.

In his pre-match press conference, Karanka was in defiant mood, insisting that he is not affected by outside critics.

According to Gazette Live, when asked how he would respond to suggestions that his tactics were negative, Karanka said: "I'll respond the same way I did last season when we lost a lot of games in January.

"The only way to respond is to work hard and to tell the critics that they are not here to train the team. They are not here to analyse the opponent. They are not here to have lunch with the players. They are not here to do anything - it is my job and I am head coach.

"It is easy to say something when you are not living here 24 hours. I am 150% confident my methods work, as I was in January when the critics said the same and everyone was asking for different things. I always said that I trusted and believed in myself and I trust and believe in my players."

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STATS! Boro's tally of six points is their lowest after eight games in a Premier League season. Also, they have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last 19 away games in the division. At the other end of the pitch, Middlesbrough's seven top-flight goals have come in the first half this season, which is a league-high proportion of 71%.

HEAD TO HEAD: Arsenal have a decent record over Middlesbrough having won six and drawn two of their eight Premier League home games against the club. In the last 31 meetings between the pair in the division, Boro have only won once, which was a 3-0 win in April 2001. The last time these two clubs met was in the quarter-finals of the 2014-15 FA Cup, and Arsenal were the team to progress.

We're only a matter of moments away from kickoff now. Can Arsenal claim their eighth straight win in all competitions or will Boro cause an upset and earn their first victory since August. Let's find out!

KICKOFF! We're underway at the Emirates! Mike Dean is the referee for this one.

As you may have expected, Boro are camping in their own half with an attempt to keep Arsenal quiet. The hosts have all the possession so far. Mustafi spots Walcott's run and tries to find him on the right-hand side, but the ball bobbles out for a throw-in.

Iwobi plays the ball forward for Sanchez, who plays it out wide right to Bellerin. The full-back delivers a cross into the box, but it's blocked and a corner is given. Ozil takes the set piece, but the ball goes over the top of Koscielny and it's comfortably cleared by Boro.

Sanchez back-heels the ball towards Iwobi, but the pass just gets away from the Nigerian and Boro manage to clear the danger. It could be a long afternoon for the visitors...

CHANCE! Sanchez wins a free kick about a yard outside the box after getting fouled by Ayala. Ozil is the man to take it, but he fails to hit the target as the ball goes over the crossbar.

Boro are yet to get out of their own half. They have Negredo up top, but he's not getting any service at this stage. You feel as though it's only a matter of time before Arsenal open the scoring.

Arsenal continue to work their way around Boro's goal. Mustafi sends the ball long and finds Ozil. The in-form midfielder back-heels, but he fails to reach a teammate.

CHANCE! The ball drops for Elneny, who aims for the near post from 25 yards out, but his effort goes wide of the target.

The visitors finally get out of their own half! Barragan takes a throw-in close to the corner flag, but they fail to create a move from it as Taore is controls the ball and Arsenal regain possession.

NO PENALTY! Walcott cuts the ball back for Ozil in the centre of the box, but the World Cup winner spends too long on the ball and Gibson dispossesses him. Ozil goes to ground claiming a push, but the referee is having none of it.

Barragan blocks Monreal's cross, but Arsenal come again with another wave of attack. The hosts win a corner, which is taken by Ozil, but Boro manage to clear.

SAVE! So close for Boro! The visitors should be ahead against the run of play, but Cech saves! Negredo flicks on Barragan's clearance and Traore latches on to it, catching out Koscielny and he's through on goal. Traore gets a shot away, but Cech stops before Negredo's follow-up is cleared by Koscielny.

OFF THE BAR! Boro are awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and Ramirez lines up to take it. He goes for goal and he's beaten Cech but the ball clatters off the corner of the bar. Two great chances for the visitors!

SAVE! At the other end, Coquelin wins a free kick from 25 yards out. Sanchez gets the ball over the wall, but Valdes manages to palm away for a corner, which is eventually cleared by Boro.

Walcott's cross is comfortably dealt with by Gibson, but Arsenal go on the attack again. They charge down the left flank, but Traore does well to track back and prevent Bellerin from getting a cross into the danger area.

Boro get a free kick on the left and it's swung in by Ramirez. Negredo manages to connect with his head, but Bellerin gets there and heads clear.

Ramirez fouls Ozil 25 yards from goal and the German takes it. He chips it into the box, but Boro defend well by forcing Koscielny offside.

SAVE! Lovely play from Adama as he breaks into space before whipping a cross into the area. Negredo flicks it on towards Ramirez at the back post, but Cech manages to make a crucial stop. Boro have had the best chances of the game so far, despite being on the backfoot for large spells in this first half.

Not a good sign for Arsenal. Mustafi requires treatment on his ankle after landing awkwardly going for a header. He's back on his feet, though, so should hopefully be ok to continue.

Arsenal win a corner off Barragan's clearance from Bellerin's cross. Elneny takes this one, aiming for Koscielny, but the visitors manage to clear.

Arsenal have dictated play for large chunks of this first half, but they have not yet seriously troubled Valdes. Bozo's gameplan seems to be working, but they could be left to rue their missed chances if Arsenal come out firing in the second half.

CHANCE! Walcott flashes the ball across the face of goal from the right-hand side of the box. Ozil is inches away from sealing a tap-in, but he misses it.

Both sets of players head back to the dressing rooms with the match 0-0 at the Emirates. Arsenal spent large spells of the first half dominating the ball and producing waves of attack, but there were not too many clear-cut chances. In fact, Boro had the best opportunities of the first 45 minutes,and in truth, could have been two or three-nil up. However, their finishing was poor and they were denied by Petr Cech on a couple of occasions. Arsenal have dictated most of the play, but Middlesbrough are definitely still in this game. We'll return for the second half shortly!

RESTART! We're back underway at the Emirates! Will there be a winner in the next 45 minutes? Let's find out...

Arsenal begin the half on the attack (as you'd expect) and Iwobi tries to play the ball in for Sanchez, but the pass is too heavy and it bobbles out of play.

CHANCE! A poor attempted clearance from Valdes as he flaps when a free kick is delivered into the box by Ozil. The ball drops to Sanchez, but his cross goes inches over Koscielny's head. The defender was staring at an open goal!

Bellerin cuts the ball back into the box. Iwobi and Walcott are lurking, but Ayala does well to get there first before kicking the ball clear.

WIDE! Another free kick for Arsenal as Sanchez eyes the net from 25 yards out. The Chilean looks to bend it in, but the ball drops wide of the post.

SAVE! Sanchez picks the ball up from Elneny before thumping it towards the corner, but Valdes gets a touch to deny the Chilean's 20-yard strike.

Boro launch a counter-attack through Traore, who plays in Barragan. The defender crosses into the area, but Koscielny sends it out for a corner, which comes to nothing for the visitors.

SAVE! Some great individual work from Traore as he charges from his own half and into the area before shooting from a tight angle, but Cech manages to parry the ball away.

Negredo leads the break for Boro, but Koscielny matches the forward's run and eventually manages to win the ball back.

BOOKING! Mustafi is the first player to go in the referee's book after a reckless tackle on Ramirez.

Ramirez takes the free kick, but Bellerin initially clears. The ball falls to De Roon, though, who lofts the ball back into the box, but the hosts keep it out of danger.

CHANCE! Sanchez gets in behind Ayala to get on the end of Walcott's pass, but the Chilean's shot is collected by Valdes.

ARSENAL SUB: Wenger makes the first change of the game as Perez replaces Iwobi.

Monreal wins a corner, which is taken by Ozil. The German's delivery finds Mustafi, but the defender's header fails to trouble Valdes and Boro force Arsenal back.

Arsenal hoof a long ball forward and Valdes comes off his line to head it clear, but he sends it straight to Walcott. The keeper races back to his goal as Walcott unleashes a tame effort.

ARSENAL SUB: Oxlade-Chamberlain is coming on for Arsenal and he replaces Elneny.

It's all Arsenal at the moment as they try to find the winner in front of their home fans. Sanchez sends the ball over to the back post for Walcott, but the England international cannot get on the end of it.

Arsenal come again as Walcott and Bellerin link up before the Spaniard crosses towards the far post, but it's comfortably grabbed by Valdes.

Oxlade-Chamberlain tries to make it happen for the Gunners as he charges down the right-hand side before crossing into the box for Perez, but Gibson clears the danger.

Comfortable for Valdes again as Walcott's effort drops into the keeper's arms. Arsenal are running out of time here!

BORO SUB: Karanka makes a change as Ramirez makes way for Downing.

WIDE! Traore sends the ball to the back post for Downing, who tees it up nicely for Forshaw, but he drags a shot well wide of the goal.

CHANCE! Great defending from Koscielny! Traore changes forward before finding Negredo on the left-hand side. The Spanish cuts inside onto his right foot, but Koscielny gets a perfect touch to deny a shot.

BORO SUB: Boro try to run down the clock (there's five minutes of added time!) by making a sub. Stuani replaces Negredo.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Ozil scores but it's ruled out for offside! Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross-shot gets turned in by the German, but the linesman makes the right call.

Arsenal threw everything in a bid to find that crucial winner, but it was not to be as Middlesbrough held on to claim a point at the Emirates. The visitors could have easily gone in front in the first half had it not been for Petr Cech, but in the end, neither side could break the deadlock and a point is shared. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!