Wenger fires a warning after Arsenal take a wrong turn

Wenger was damning in his criticism of his players after a weekend in which his team's lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League was reduced to one point.

Arsenal's troubled day even extended to their team bus getting lost on its way to the Riverside Stadium ahead of the 2-1 defeat.

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"We deserved to lose," said Wenger. "Middlesbrough were sharper in the fight overall. We lost as well because it was a team who lacked confidence.

"We lacked creativity and sharpness in our passing, we gave them too much room, we were jaded — it's our fourth away trip on the trot."

A Stewart Downing penalty and a second-half Tuncay goal set Middlesbrough on their way to a first victory since the start of September.

Tomas Rosicky's injury-time consolation goal meant little as Arsenal's unbeaten start in the League was ended.

They face Chelsea in a crucial title-chasing clash on Sunday and only Mathieu Flamini is guaranteed to return.

"The missing players have handicapped us a little but it doesn't mean we should give away a penalty after five minutes," added Wenger.

"Flamini could be back for Chelsea, Van Persie might be back in the squad. Fabregas we don't know. Diaby is also possible but I have faith in the players who are there."

Gareth Southgate warned his side that the win had to be used as a platform to save Middlesbrough's season.

"It can easily be a false dawn," he said.

Late goal: Rosicky made it 2-1 but it wasn't more than a consolation for the Gunners

"We are harder to play against now. We have more character and togetherness. We have shown the gloss, the quality on the ball. That was pleasing to see, especially once we had gone ahead.

"We played and caused them some problems. It has been so long since we won we had to remind ourselves what is felt like. It has been depressing.

"We have a long season ahead of us and one performance does not make everything all right."