They ran Liverpool extremely close, stunned Manchester City, now it's time for Boro to take on Arsenal.
Aitor Karanka's table-toppers dumped the Premier League champions out in the last round but it doesn't get any easier, this time it's the the FA Cup holders hosting Boro as both sides look for a spot in the last eight of this year's competition.
Karanka rested several of his key players at Blackpool on Tuesday night while Arsenal bounced back from the north London derby defeat with a narrow victory over basement boys Leicester City in the Premier League.
Here's all you need to know ahead of the fifth round clash:
Probable line-ups
Injury news
Boro have been handed a double defensive blow ahead of Sunday’s clash with last year’s FA Cup winners.
Daniel Ayala will be out for a month after picking up a muscle injury at Blackpool, while on-loan defender Tomas Kalas is ineligible to play at the Emirates Stadium.
Left-back George Friend (illness) missed Tuesday’s trip to Bloomfield Road but should be fit, while Ryan Fredericks could return. Damia Abella (cruciate) and Rhys Williams (Achilles) are long-term absentees.
Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Alexis Sanchez (knee) and Jack Wilshere (ankle), while the Gunners will definitely be without Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin), Mikel Arteta (ankle) and Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder).
The thoughts of the boss
“It is going to be difficult, very difficult.
“Arsenal are a Champions League team with an amazing squad, you can say that they have some players injured but they still have a very strong squad. It’s a good challenge for us.
“We didn’t fear Liverpool or Manchester City so anything can happen. We go there thinking we can beat them, it’s possible, but they have an amazing squad.
“We worked hard in the summer to have a good squad, after that to always have players ready for any challenge. Against Blackpool we made seven changes, I had to change the shape and we beat them. Now it’s Arsenal, a totally different team on a totally different pitch, but I have the players. We showed everybody against Man City that we can play that kind of game.
“The players that came in on Tuesday were confident and played well.”
Opposition's view
Rapid flanker Theo Walcott has warned his Gunners team-mates that they must be at their best if they are to overcome in-form Boro.
“It is a great opportunity (to win the FA Cup) when you consider the teams that have gone out,” Walcott told the club’s website.
“But Middlesbrough will be tough, they are doing well in the Championship.
“They will be a threat, we can’t take them for granted. We need to study their game very closely because they will fancy playing us.
“We have to make sure we are completely on it because it will be nice for the fans to have a Wembley trip again.”
Their man in the know - Ben Kosky, Islington Gazette
“Arsenal were poor against Leicester in mid-week. They started very well but then eased off - and Leicester were definitely the better team in the second half.
“There was a feeling a few weeks ago that Arsenal had sorted out their defence and were keeping clean sheets, but the defeat to Spurs at the weekend has called that into question. They look like a fragile team again.
“The mood towards Arsene Wenger changes very quickly at the Emirates and there was a bit of discontent on Tuesday. It's a crucial few weeks coming up for Arsenal.”
Who's the dangerman?
Front-man Olivier Giroud will be keen to impress against Boro - a team he claims were interested in signing him as a youngster.
The Arsenal hotshot was left on the bench against Leicester on Tuesday, but is expected to lead the line for Arsene Wenger’s side.
The Frenchman (pictured left) has scored eight times this season, but missed three months of 2014 with a broken tibia.
But now back in form, having found the net twice in his last four league matches, Giroud, 28, will be looking to take his goal tally into double figures.
The ex-Montpellier man is a menace in the air and is crucial to the way Arsenal play.
What's the form?
Teesside is on cloud nine after Kike’s late winner at Blackpool sent Boro top of the Championship on Tuesday.
With Bournemouth and Derby drawing on the South Coast, Aitor Karanka’s men took full advantage by notching their sixth straight victory in all competitions.
Boro are yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup after seeing off Barnsley and Manchester City in the previous rounds, and have clinched seven clean sheets in their last 10 matches.
The goals are also flowing for the in-form Teessiders, with Boro finding the net in their last six matches and netting five in their last two.
Lee Tomlin has four goals in his last six matches, while Patrick Bamford has three in his last four. Jelle Vossen and Kike have also found the net this week - meaning Boro head to the Emirates with plenty of confidence.
Taking part in their annual battle for fourth place in the Barclays Premier League, Arsenal are actually in decent form.
The pain of losing to arch-rivals Tottenham last weekend is still sore, but the Gunners have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Their last home defeat was to Manchester United in November, and since then they’ve won eight consecutive matches on home soil.
To add, Arsene Wenger’s side have scored 18 times in their last five home matches, and have found the net in every single match at the Emirates so far. Boro’s task couldn’t be much tougher on Sunday afternoon.
BORO’S LAST FIVE
Feb 10 (a) BLACKPOOL W 2-1
Feb 7 (h) CHARLTON W 3-1
Jan 31 (a) BRENTFORD W 1-0
Jan 24 (a) MAN CITY W 2-0 FAC
Jan 20 (h) CARDIFF W 2-1
Last five aways: 2-1, 1-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0-2
ARSENAL’S LAST FIVE
Feb 10 (h) LEICESTER W 2-1
Feb 7 (a) SPURS L 1-2
Feb 1 (h) A VILLA W 5-0
Jan 25 (a) BRIGHTON W 3-2 FAC
Jan 18 (a) MAN CITY W 2-0
Last five homes: 2-1, 5-0, 3-0, 2-0, 2-1
Ian Cooper/The Gazette 
Jeremie Aliadiere
Players who have worn both shirts
The following have played for both Boro and Arsenal: Jeremie Aliadiere, Viv Anderson (pictured right), Ralph Birkett, David Black, William Campbell, Ernie Coleman, Alf Common, Bob Currie, Lindy Delapenha, Albert Groves, Ray Hankin, Justin Hoyte, John Kay, Dick Le Flem, Brian Marwood, Andy McCowie, Paul Merson, Alan Miller, Jacky Milne, Jacky Mordue, John O’Rourke, Ray Parkin, Ray Parlour, Jim Tennant, Michael Thomas, Peter Turner, Bob Watson, Willie White, Joey Williams.
Coaching connections: Andy Aitken, George Armstrong, Paul Barron, David Jack, Peter McWilliam, Bruce Rioch, Ernie Walley.
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