Karanka: Big matches show how far Boro have come

A trip to an in-form Arsenal may look daunting but Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka insists a game of such magnitude shows how far the club have come under his leadership.

When Karanka took over in November 2013 Boro were nervously looking over their shoulders in the Championship, but he guided the club back into the top flight for the first time in seven years last season.

Back in the big time, Middlesbrough have undergone a baptism of fire – with their last league victory coming back in August against fellow strugglers Sunderland.

 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

But Karanka says the club have been in far stickier situations since his appointment and is confident that they can put that experience to good use before long.

“To look at the fixture list and see teams like Arsenal – that is what we have been working so hard for,” he said.

“Every single player is training really well. They know how big an opportunity this is for us.

“We have to keep adding experience, keep growing, and trust ourselves and our work.

“I remember when I arrived here, we played Millwall away in December, and before the game we were two points above the Championship relegation spaces. We were fighting to survive.

“Now we are more or less in the same situation in the league table but I am much happier. I didn’t have the experience, the staff and players I have now.”