"?Aitor Karanka has heaped praise on his Middlesbrough players after he watched his side hold Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates stadium.
Boro frustrated the Gunners for large swathes of Saturday's encounter and, on another day, may have recorded a shock victory after carving out a number of gilt edged chances themselves.
Speaking after the game, Karanka told the "?club's official site that he was proud of the efforts shown by his charges, and admitted that Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech had been the standout player for the home side after he saw the shot stopper produce a number of fine saves from Boro's attackers.
Fantastic from @Karanka and the @boro today. Excellent result. Should keep the idiots quiet for a bit. Back the boss, back the Boro.
He said: "It was an amazing performance from my team.After the last defeat at home especially, it was tough for us.
"But we worked hard on the training field and today the plan worked really well.
"I think we should have won the game because we had good chances.
READ | Aitor @Karanka gives his assessment of today's game - https://t.co/VyrO4WN95T pic.twitter.com/8QsjuiLPIr
"We knew that we couldn't park the but they have a lot of quality players. We were organised and our transition play was very good.
"But we have to keep going because today we showed we can compete against the best teams in the Premier League.
"For me and for us it is great to come to the Emirates, and for the best Arsenal player to be Petr Cech."?
Adama Traore, Gaston Ramirez and Alvaro Negredo all spurned glorious opportunities to snatch an unlikely win for the visitors, but in the end Karanka was happy to settle for a point.
And, with a home encounter against Bournemouth to come next weekend, the Spaniard added that his attentions had immediately turned to the visit of Eddie Howe's Cherries.
He said: "I am really pleased because this team and this crowd deserves this. In the Premier League every single game is important. We can enjoy it for a few hours but it is just one point. Tomorrow we start thinking about Bournemouth."?
Join the conversation by following "?Tom Power on twitter!