Silvestre criticises Arsenal form ahead of Middlesbrough clash

This is a guest post by sports writer Thomas Rooney

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has given his first outspoken interview since becoming an Arsenal player. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough, he has slammed the team’s form this season by saying that there is no way they will win silverware unless they up their game.

The 31-year-old was referring to the performance at Porto in mid-week when he said that ‘you can’t expect to perform like that and win anything’. This is a valid opinion, because let’s face it – Arsenal were awful in Portugal.

Unfortunately though this wasn’t a one-off display from Arsene Wenger’s men in terms of this season and Silvestre knows it. The defender went on to talk about the games against Fulham and Hull – where the team fell to unexpected defeats – and said that ‘consistency’ has to be found if they are to have anything to show for their efforts come May next year.

Silvestre was obviously being realistic with his views of the campaign so far and although nothing he said was revolutionary, I suppose it is refreshing that the players seem to understand what is expected of them in the coming weeks.

After talking about the past in some depth, Silvestre then focused on the future and more specifically – Middlesbrough this weekend. It is a game that Arsenal should be winning, but the defender believes that it is ‘never easy’ to travel to the Riverside. With this in mind, he says that the team are ‘focused’ on picking up a vital few points.

Something Silvestre is bang on the money about is that Arsenal do find it difficult going to Middlesbrough. The Gunners haven’t won there in the Premier League since April 2005 and have lost two of the last three visits to the Riverside.

Middlesbrough often raise their game against the top sides in the league and it will be no different tomorrow. Arsenal need to be focused and on their game from the very first whistle. They need to show everyone that they are ready to launch a title challenge because this is the type of game they need to win to prove their credentials.

In terms of the team news, three big players should be back in action for Wenger. Cesc Fabregas could return ahead of schedule to face Gareth Southgate’s men as should Robin van Persie who missed the Porto game with a thigh strain. Finally, Emmanuel Adebayor will also return to the fold after being rested against Porto.

Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy are also expected to be available as Arsenal look to put pressure on the teams above them with an early away victory at Middlesbrough.

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting