Fabregas netted in each half to wrap up the win for the Gunners - the Spaniard's first goals since the start of October - to boost their confidence ahead of Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Manchester United.

"It's been a long time" the midfielder told Sky Sports News.

"I had completely lost the feeling of scoring a goal. To score two in a game is always special but the feeling was amazing.

"It keeps going the run we have got in the league and two days before the Manchester United game, which is probably our most important one of the season, it's good for the confidence."

"We played some good stuff, we moved the ball really quick, and every player was good so we are happy with that."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted with his team's performance.

With impressive displays all over the pitch, Wenger was pleased with the way his side was shaping up ahead of the clash at Old Trafford in the first leg of this year's semi-final.

"We played against a good Middlesbrough side and it was an entertaining game" Wenger told Sky Sports News.

"After it was 2-0 we clamped down and kept the ball and overall it was a good game. I was very pleased, we get stronger and stronger and we look mature.

"We know much better when to accelerate and when to calm down, we are efficient, our passing is good - there were many positive aspects in this game."

Wenger has not decided on his team yet for Wednesday's first leg at Old Trafford and that today's line-up did not necessarily reflect who would play.

"I picked the team for today and that's enough" he said.

"Let's enjoy the victory today and prepare conscientiously, relax and believe for Wednesday."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate believes his team are still capable of beating the drop despite remaining in the bottom three in 18th.

Southgate's side have only four games to save themselves - starting with Manchester United at the Riverside next week - but the manager remained confident they could still haul themselves out of trouble.

Southgate told Sky Sports News: "We have a massive game next week and we've got our fans behind us there and it gives us a more realistic chance of getting something.

"We are capable, we've done it in the past - we've said we've got to pick some big results up. Results went for us yesterday so we're still in with a chance but we realise we've got it all to do.

"We didn't do enough to get anything from the game, there's no question - you probably need to score first to get a result here I think but we weren't able to do that and once they scored it was fairly comfortable for them. "