Arsenal boosted their slim chances of qualification for the Champions League with a much-needed victory over Middlesbrough on Monday evening.

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, either side of Alvaro Negredo's early second-half equaliser, were enough to seal a first league away win for Arsene Wenger's men in three months.

The Gunners had lost their previous four away games, against Crystal Palace, West Brom, Liverpool and Chelsea, leaving their hopes of an 18th consecutive season in the Champions League looking unlikely.

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But while their top-four ambitions remain a long shot, with the Gunners currently seven points short of fourth-placed Manchester City, boasting a game in hand, Arsenal did everything within their power to not lose further ground to the league's leading pack.

Wenger has enjoyed a wonderful qualification record for Europe's elite club competition down the years, but the Frenchman's record looks likely to come to an end this campaign, with Chelsea, and potentially Liverpool, returning to the competition.

That will be a bitter pill to swallow for Wenger, who has confessed that his side will have to win every league game between now and the end of the campaign to secure to Champions League qualification.

Wenger: We must win every game

“For us, the clarity is there, we have to win every game to have a chance of getting in the top four, starting tonight," said Wenger, per the Mirror.

“The team was a bit more serene. We were a bit over cautious in situations tonight. Hopefully that will give us more confidence. Mathematically it is still possible, even if it is difficult, but we will give it a go."

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has echoed his manager's remarks, confessing they will have to drastically turn around their form to finish in the top four.

Ramsey up for the challenge

"Of course it’s going to be a difficult run but we’re up for the challenge," Ramsey told Arsenal's official website. "We had to start by getting the three points. I think we have seven games left now, so it’s important for us to take it a game at a time.

"I think we’re going to have to win them all - we’re capable of doing that but it’s going to take an enormous amount of concentration in every game."

Wenger shocked Arsenal fans by switching to a back three for their visit to Middlesbrough, and the 67-year-old backed up his decision based on recent disappointing results.

“The fact we conceded three at West Brom and three at Palace, I feel it was needed," Wenger added.

“It shows at my age you can change. Sometimes when your team lacks confidence, something new helps them believe and focus."