But recent absentees Michael Ricketts, Stuart Parnaby and George Boateng have been in training this week and may all play a part in Saturday's game.
This is a must win game for Arsenal if they are to retain their Premiership crown and with Boro on an eight game unbeaten run the Riverside clash is a mouth watering prospect. The Londoners will definitely be without skipper Patrick Vieira and will not relish a trip to Teesside with the home side in such good form.
With wins against Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool at the Riverside already this season, Boro's record against the Premiership big boys is impressive and another win against Arsene Wenger's side could go some way to deciding the destination of the championship come May.