Cole admits Gunners missing Vieira

Last updated at 14:48 12 September 2005

Ashley Cole conceded Arsenal were struggling to replace Patrick Vieira following the Highbury club's second defeat of the season at Middlesbrough.

Arsenal are already nine points behind Chelsea just a month into the campaign and it looks as though the summer sale of Vieira to Juventus may prove a decisive one.

The 2-1 defeat at the Riverside, albeit without the injured Thierry Henry, was the first time in eight Premiership meetings Arsene Wenger's side had not beaten Middlesbrough.

Goals by Yakubu and Massimo Maccarone gave Steve McClaren's men their first home win of the season despite Jose Reyes' late consolation. However, it was Arsenal's lack of bite in midfield against a Boro side with several injury problems which must have been the main concern for the watching Wenger.

And Cole said: "We've lost key players but we've only really brought Alexander Hleb in.

"We've lost Patrick, who was our main inspiration in midfield and we've only got one in. There's nothing we can do about it - it's nothing to do with me - and we've just got to do what we can with the squad we've got."

Cole also admitted Arsenal's title chances were now in the balance just four games in.

"If you look at the history of the championship, this is very early to have lost two games, so it's going to be very hard from now," he added.

"It's going to be tougher this year because I don't reckon we can afford to lose any more than three or four times. If we do it's going to be a struggle because teams are getting better now."

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.