GOALS from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil ended Arsenal’s run of four successive away defeats with a scratchy 2-1 victory over struggling Middlesbrough in their Premier League clash Monday.

    The Gunners’ performance was far from convincing but will still bring some relief to their beleaguered manager Arsene Wenger.

    There was a period after Alvaro Negredo scored an equalizer when Middlesbrough, who have won only four league games this season, looked capable of going on to claim their fifth scalp.

    Arsenal is new seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand, while Middlesbrough lies six points from safety and has also played one game fewer than most of the teams above them.

    At least Arsenal’s trip to Teesside began far more smoothly than their previous away game at Crystal Palace when they were caught in London traffic and arrived shortly before the kick-off.

    They reached Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium with plenty of time to spare, yet there was still a lack of direction on the pitch as they searched for a route to goal in the opening stages.(SD-Agencies)