What better present could Arsenal gift Arsène Wenger than three points and a seventh consecutive league win as he celebrates his 67th birthday on Saturday. Let alone the potential to claim top spot all for themselves. Meanwhile Middlesbrough are on a grim run of form having only won once from eight attempts. Aitor Karanka will have his work cut out to make his side believe they can stop Arsenal’s attacking force and spoil Wenger’s party. Graham Searles
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Emirates Stadium
Last season n/a
Referee Mike Dean
This season G7, Y32, R1, 4.86 cards per game
Odds H 3-11 A 14-1 D 11-2
Arsenal
Subs from Martínez, Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holding, Pérez, Akpom, Elneny, Reine-Adélaïde, Jenkinson
Doubtful Cazorla (achilles)
Injured Giroud (foot, 29 Oct), Ramsey (hamstring, 29 Oct), Mertesacker (knee, Jan), Welbeck (knee, Jan), Akpom (back, unknown)
Suspended Xhaka (first of three)
Form WWWWWW
Discipline Y10 R1
Leading scorer Walcott 5
Middlesbrough
Subs from Guzan, Espinosa, Nsue, Fischer, Traoré, Rhodes, Nugent, Da Silva, De Pena, De Roon, De Sart
Doubtful None
Injured Leadbitter (groin, 29 Oct), Husband (shoulder, unknown)
Suspended None
Unavailale Chambers (terms of loan)
Form DLLLDL
Discipline Y18 R0
Leading scorer Stuani 3
