Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted that Middlesbrough were more 'sharper' to hand his side a first league defeat this season on Sunday. The Gunners' 15-match unbeaten run in the Premiership was shattered by a struggling Boro side in a 2-1 defeat at Riverside Stadium. "Boro were clearly sharper than us after a difficult period of games, which seem to have taken their toll," said Wenger. The Frenchman refused to blame injuries after the loss, despite missing the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb and Robin Van Persie. "We have a few injuries at the moment, but it is easy to blame the players who are not here and I believe in the players who played today," he added. Away Games Dilemma Wenger also claims that playing four straight games away from home had an effect on his side, unlike close rivals Manchester United. "It was our fourth away trip on the trot," said Wenger, whose side played at Sevilla in the Champions League, Aston Villa and Newcastle before the Boro game.
Stewart Downing scored the opener "This season will be a big, big fight for the title. United have had nine home games and seven away, while we've played eight each so I'm happy we're top of the league." The Gunners will play at home next week, but maybe Wenger won't be too happy as the game will be a crunch London derby against the in-form Chelsea. Speaking in the same direction, Boro manager Gareth Southgate revealed that his plan was to take advantage of his opposition's consecutive away games series. "It's the best result that we've had because of the manner of the win,'' said Southgate. "Arsenal have had a period of away games. I saw what Newcastle did the other night - I went up there. "We needed to make sure from the first minute they were going to get exactly the same again and we did that. The former England center-half said that his side had to be in full focus both defensively and offensively in order to overcome a team of Arsenal's caliber. "We wanted to be on the front foot against them both in how we attacked and how we defended, they're a class side and if you allow them time to play, they'll destroy you. "Both aspects of the team have had to be better and they were today. The concentration levels were good. We caused them a lot of problems."
