Arsenal must secure three points against relegation-threatened Middlesbrough in the Premier League at the Riverside Stadium on Monday night to keep their fast-fading hopes of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League alive.Both teams are on nightmare runs in 2017, but the Gunners' struggles have generated more headlines. Arsenal are enduring a run of four-straight away defeats in the league after losing 3-0 at Crystal Palace on Monday.The result has left the north London club languishing in seventh and increased the pressure on already under-fire manager Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman's contract expires this summer and there is building clamour for him to walk away as results continue to deteriorate.Meanwhile, Steve Agnew replacing Aitor Karanka as manager has done little to revive Middlesbrough, who remain 19th and six points from safety. However, this is one of two games in hand Boro have on 17th-placed Hull City.Before a preview and a look at the team news, here are the schedule and viewing details:Date:Monday, April 17Time:8 p.m. BST. 3 p.m. ET.TV Info:Sky Sports 1. NBCSN.Live Stream:Sky Go. NBC Sports App.PreviewWenger will hope two key members of a beleaguered back five are fit enough to return from injury. The players in question are goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back Laurent Koscielny.Cech has missed the last three matches, while Koscielny has sat out two after being injured during the recent 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City. Wenger has indicated the pair could be ready to return this week, per Arsenal's official website: "From the last game, I believe that we have a chance of getting Petr Cech back in the squad. Laurent Koscielny is joining in today. If their tests are positive, they will come back into the squad for Monday's game."When pressed further on the duo's possible availability, Wenger rated their chances, per the same source: "Eighty per cent. At the moment its pretty good, but sometimes the 20 per cent can play a villain's part in the final preparation."The Gunners need their two most experienced and talented figures at the back involved, even against goal-shy Boro. Arsenal have conceded three times in each of their last four away games, all defeats, a rare and unwanted mark in the club's history, per Telegraph Football:Middlesbrough may have only scored a league-low 22 goals, but they could still cause the Gunners problems. Specifically, target men Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede could punish an Arsenal back four bullied in the air by Christian Benteke and Palace last week.Wenger will have to concentrate on getting his own attack up to speed to keep Boro on the back foot. It won't be easy after the toothless display at Palace, but a change at centre-forward is certainly necessary.Danny Welbeck has started the last four games but failed to score, so it's time to give Olivier Giroud his chance. The Frenchman can combine well with Alexis Sanchez, whom Wenger believes prefers to play out wide, according to Marc Williams of the Daily Star: "He likes to touch the ball, so I would say he is more attracted to a wide position. He basically prefers to play wide rather than up front because he can get the ball more."Arsenal have to get Sanchez involved early, and having him run off Giroud's ability to hold the ball up would make sense against a Middlesbrough defence lacking pace.Agnew is already aware of Arsenal's attacking threat. He has tipped 35-year-old goalkeeper Victor Valdes to be a big factor between now and the end of the season, per Charlotte Bates of Sky Sports.Valdes was superb in helping Boro earn a point against the Gunners in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium back in October. Yet he won't be the only key figure for Agnew, who will also welcome back defenders George Friend and Fabio, as well as forward Gaston Ramirez, according to Dominic Shaw of Gazette Live.Middlesbrough have the players to trouble a mentally fragile Arsenal team, particularly if they get the right delivery from wide areas to maximize their advantage in the air. However, the Gunners still have enough quality up front to finally end their dire run away from home.
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