Sanchez, Ozil strike to end Arsenal away woes
Middlesbrough - 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 on 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 equaliser when Middlesbrough, who has won only four league games this season, looked capable of going on to claim its fifth scalp.
Arsenal is now 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.
The French manager announced six changes from the team that lost 3-0 at Palace seven days earlier and, even more significantly, employed wing-backs alongside a defensive trio for the first time since 1997.
His tactical alterations did not provide instant results, although it did enjoy the bulk of the early possession and Olivier Giroud's claims for a penalty when he was floored by Daniel Ayala certainly had some merit.
A foul by Adam Clayton on the edge of the area was a gift for Sanchez, the Chilean star flighted his free-kick over the wall and inside the post.
It was his 19th Premier League goal of the season and only three fewer than the entire Middlesbrough team going into this game, so it was a surprise that the home side suddenly looked capable of producing a response in the second half.
Middlesbrough was immediately on the front foot and levelled inside five minutes after Sanchez lost possession.
The host broke quickly down the right through Stewart Downing, whose cross was missed by Laurent Koscielny before Negredo steered it past Petr Cech.
Suddenly, the game burst into life, with Downing heavily involved. The former England winger wasted an excellent opportunity when George Friend's cross was allowed to reach him at the far post, then the pair combined again to carve out a chance for Ayala.
Downing's cross was headed back towards goal by Friend and Ayala looked certain to score before he directed his header too close to Cech.
Arsenal's response was impressive in the 63rd minute as Sanchez's through ball picked out Ozil, but 'keeper Brad Guzan sensed the danger and did well to save at the feet of the German international.
However, the outcome was different in their next confrontation eight minutes later.
Sanchez was involved again with a cross that was chested down by Aaron Ramsey, leaving Ozil with the chance to drill Arsenal back in front from close range.