Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is demanding his players not stand back and admire Arsenal ahead of today's clash.

Southgate was at Newcastle on Wednesday evening to see Sam Allardyce's men muscle their way to a hard-fought point against the free-flowing league leaders, and while he admits his side are unlikely to take the same approach, he is adamant they cannot afford to let their opponents play.

He said: "They have had a tough week with two games where they have been stretched physically and mentally - and we have to make sure the third is exactly the same.

"Arsenal a couple of years ago did go unbeaten, but eventually, those records go.

"We have the opportunity to be the first to do that this season.

"But you have to be at your very best to get something against them. They are top-quality players.

"I love the way they play football - but we cannot stand and admire them, we cannot afford to give Arsenal time on the ball to play because they have the ability to destroy you if you do.

"We have got to go and do a job against them, and that's what we are intent on doing."