Middlesbrough's French striker Jeremie Aliadiere has said Arsenal
will win the Premier League title, despite losing their unbeaten
run at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.
Aliadiere, who won the hosts a fourth-minute penalty against his
former club to set up the 2-1 victory, said that Arsenal deserved
to be top of the Premier League table - they currently lead
Manchester United by a point.
He said: "They are not top of the table for nothing. The way they
have played this season is unbelievable and I still think they will
win the league.
"They had a lot of players missing yesterday and when they are back
they will win the title. I just think it's the way Arsenal get
their results. I have been watching their games and they are the
best team."
The 24-year-old, who spent eight years under Arsene Wenger at the
North London club, said that Gareth Southgate had prepared his team
well for the league leaders' visit.
Aliadiere said: "They were not worse than I thought. We made them
have a game.
"We decided to press them from the start to the end and a team like
Arsenal does not like that. If you don't let them play it is
difficult for any team.
"I've been waiting for this game all season. It's my old team, and
the first time I've played against Arsenal and I was very much
motivated to win."
The Frenchman also said the absence of midfielder Cesc Fabregas and
Alexander Hleb contributed to a disappointing Arsenal
performance.
He said: "They did not miss just Fabregas but Alexander Hleb as
well, who has been doing an unbelievable job. Those two players
create a lot of chances and a lot of things for Arsenal which they
missed yesterday."
