Wenger: injuries taken toll

After Arsenal's 2-1 shock defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside, Arsene Wenger has admitted a series of battles and injury problems may have condemned Arsenal to their first defeat of the season.

Wenger said: "Middlesbrough were clearly sharper than us after a difficult period of games, which seem to have taken their toll.

"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.

"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."