Arsene's Praise For Boss And Boro
ARSENE WENGER believes Boro can become a top eight side if they survive this season - and he says Gareth Southgate has the potential to be a future England boss.
Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium means Southgate remains unbeaten in four head-to-heads against the man considered one of the world's top managers.
And writing in his programme notes ahead of the game, Wenger heaped praise on the man who masterminded his side's only Premier League defeat so far this season, a 2-1 victory at the Riverside in December.
"Middlesbrough's form picked up after their result against us and they have been more difficult to beat," Wenger wrote.
"I am convinced that they will find a way out of trouble and that if they survive this season then they will push on to become a dangerous side next year, perhaps in the top eight of the league.
"Gareth Southgate has been mentioned as a possible future England manager and I think it is possible."
Southgate has already faced his share of challenging situations since taking over the Boro hotseat at the start of last season, not least last weekend's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Cardiff.
But Wenger says that will stand him in good stead for the future.
He said: "He is learning his job at the moment and is dealing well with the situations he faces. Of course, he started very young, and that's very important.
"I also started very young and it means that after a few years you have good experience.
"But in this job it's a marathon and to survive 20 years you have to take some stick and you need to take disappointment on board without losing your passion.
"I believe he has that and if he can keep it he has a good chance."
Speaking after the game, Wenger bemoaned his side's failure to beat Boro.
"It is very frustrating because both Chelsea and Manchester United won 1-0 and they did not have the greatest of games either," he told his club's official website.
"We were 1-0 down early in the game and that gave Middlesbrough a lot of courage to defend. In the end we scored but it was too late to go on and win."
Arsene's Praise For 'Coup Specialists' Boro
