Former Barcelona goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, has hailed Arsenal as ‘one of the best teams in the world right now’ but stated that Middlesbrough will travel to the Emirates in search of all three points.

Speaking Sky Sports, the keeper, 34, said, “It will be a special game for us, in a good atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.

“When you are in the Premier League you are always against very good teams and players. 

“But I think they are one of the best teams in the world right now, so it will be very hard. 

“It’s part of the football here. The only thing I can say is that we must keep going, keep improving, and try to win three points.”

He also spoke about Alexis Sanchez, a player he knows well from their time at Barca together.

“Alexis is a special guy and a special player,” Valdes added.

“He is very good in the last part of the pitch, hitting the target and finishing.”

“We must be in very good attention against him because he can be very dangerous. 

“At Arsenal, he might be playing a different way [than at Barcelona] but now he is in a very good way and has shown the rest of the world he is one of the best.”

Valdes has yet to keep a Premier League cleansheet this season, condeding 10 in his six games.

Calum Chambers, currently on loan with Aitor Karanka’s men, will not be eligible for the game due to Premier League regulations.

It used to be left to the parent clubs to decide if their loan players could play against them, but the league then passed a rule making it illegal.