There’s no way of putting a gloss on it - Boro were comprehensively beaten by a very good Arsenal team and made matters worse by being far from their best especially before the break.
But the demoralising rout that threatened when the imperious Gunners went two up with a brilliant brace from Giroud in two first half minutes didn’t materialise.
There were no daft yellow cards that threatened more suspensions and it didn’t appear that Boro picked up any injuries beyond badly bruised egos.
So, damage was limited for the only priority for the season - the Championship campaign that they can now concentrate on, as the cliché runs.
Should Karanka and his men get back to their best and channel FA Cup frustrations into a table-topping win at St. Andrew’s on Wednesday yesterday’s debacle will soon be put behind them.
Amongst the many downsides we won’t dwell on, there were just a few good things that came out of Sunday’s game that can be taken on to that game.
Fredericks – with more reason than most to perform well at The Emirates – had a decent game in defence but also got forward when he could.
His run and cross for Kike to head against Szczesny’s post in added time was far and away Boro’s best moment.
Gorgeous did well on the other flank too and at least looked as though he wanted to make a contest out of it.
Tomas Mejias couldn’t be faulted with either of the two he conceded and made one worldie save, a clutch of other very good ones and showed his development over the season by taking crosses confidently.
He did repeat one technical error from early in the season when he rushed out at an Ozil run feet first but didn’t make the red card contact he risked.
The deflection he got on the German’s chip was enough for Clayts to get back and clear from near the line.
Overall, though, the Spaniard is showing he can be an able deputy to Dimi.
Lastly, Adam Reach showed way more intent, direct running and threat in the 35 minutes he got from the bench than he did in the timid full ninety he had at the seaside.
For the rest, best to draw a veil.....
Though they’ll want to be back at The Emirates next season in the Prem, Boro can console themselves that they won’t be facing anything like a Cazorla inspired Arsenal again on Wednesday.
But St. Andrew’s has always been a tough place to visit for Boro and though the Rowett revival has faltered a little in recent games, Brum come into this one with eight days rest since Ollie’s strugglers turned them over in the second city.
With Dimi back between the sticks, will Woody replace Omeruo who defended reasonably at Arsenal but whose ball distribution was poor – a fault that many in the Championship have already noted.
In the front four, I think Bam-Bam and Vossen should start with Adomah and Reach either side with Tomlin benched.
Away or not, Boro should start fast, front foot and free-flowing and go for the Blues from the off and sustain it all the way to three points.
C’mon Boro!!!!
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