Cesc Fabregas & Andrei Arshavin destroy Boro

Arsenal 2 Middlesbrough 0. Arsenal walked to victory yesterday over a demoralised Middlesbrough side that seems to have accepted that it will be relegated this season. Cesc Fabregas scored both goals in a stand-out performance that was only matched by another dazzling display from the Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin, as Arsenal prepared for a week that will define their season.

Fabregas's afternoon almost ended prematurely when he was cut down in a horror tackle after only 10 minutes that could have seen the Spaniard taken out for this week's Champions League semi-final clash with Manchester United. The watching Alex Ferguson will have noted the verve and spirit of this reinvigorated Arsenal side, which saw Manuel Almunia return in goal, and will be thankful that Arshavin is ineligible for their European tie.

Arsenal's opening goal saw sparkling interplay between Bendtner, Fabregas and Arshavin, who cut back for his captain to score with a sublime finish. The second came after Fabregas took advantage of Boro keeper Brad Jones' ill-advised sprint off his line, and to be honest the scoreline flattered Gareth Southgate's side. With Manchester United up next, it appears that the second relegation slot alongside West Brom has now been taken.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
David Hytner, the Guardian: "Fabregas's goals that pressed Middlesbrough one step closer to the Championship were of the highest order and Ferguson would have left north London under no illusions about the creative force that his team must nullify. [But] with the striker Robin van Persie ruled out with a groin problem, and Andrei Arshavin cup-tied, Fabregas will shoulder great responsibility."

Matt Hughes, the Times: "Arsenal coped admirably without Fabregas when he was out for 3½ months with a knee injury, embarking on an unbeaten run that stands at 20 Barclays Premier League matches, but going to Old Trafford without him on Wednesday would have been a formidable challenge. The Spain midfield player's contribution is not accurately reflected in the statistics, because these were only his second and third goals of the campaign, but if he continues to play in the more advanced role he has been filling in recent weeks, more will surely follow." ·