THE NAMES trip off the tongue so readily: Dixon, Bould, Adams, Winterburn . . . and not forgetting Keown.

For over a decade, they formed the formidable bedrock of Arsenal's trophy-winning exploits, an indefatigably defiant defensive unit.

"One-nil to the Arsenal'' was the terrace mantra that celebrated a fabled back-four who were a throwback to the time when football teams never seemed to change, the days long before squad rotation.

Only Martin Keown, who ultimately superseded Steve Bould alongside Lee Dixon, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn, now remains from that halcyon era at Highbury.

George Graham schooled Arsenal in the art of defence, but Arsene Wenger has taken a different tack - with even greater success.

These days, Arsenal's goals-against record is no less impressive, but Frenchman Wenger's beliefs are founded on the principle that attack is the best form of defence.

The Gallic flair and finishing finesse of the likes of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires are instrumental in Wenger's strategy.

Today, Middlesbrough begin a daunting schedule that, by an astonishing quirk of fate, pits them against the Gunners four times in the space of 18 days.

After their Premiership fixture in North London, Boro return a week on Tuesday for the first leg of a Carling Cup semi-final.

Four days later, they are back again in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and the following Wednesday Arsenal visit the Riverside in the Carling return leg.

For Boro defender Ugo Ehiogu and his teammates, this month provides the litmus test of their mettle.

Steve McClaren's Boro are building an enviable reputation as one of the hardest sides to beat in the country.

Their defensive record is the fifth best in the Premiership; only the top three, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, and eighth-placed Southampton can boast better.

Recently, Boro fell just one game short of equalling Arsenal's Premiership record of eight successive clean sheets.

Ehiogu is only three matches into his comeback after over seven months out with a damaged posterior cruciate ligament, but since his return Boro have conceded just once, and that a fortuitous Quinton Fortune effort, deflected off Danny Mills, which gave Man. United victory on Teesside.

The evergreen Colin Cooper proved a more than able deputy for Ehiogu at the hub of Boro's backline, but he has made way for the 31-year-old centre-back, whose well-established partnership with skipper Gareth Southgate was first forged in their days at Aston Villa.

Ehiogu said: "We've had six or seven years together and we enjoy defending. I enjoy shutting strikers out, especially those who are scorers. Being associated with that club of defenders is nice.

"You look at people like Adams and Keown. They are the benchmark in the Premiership. You couldn't look further than that back-four Arsenal had.

"There are a lot of times when Gareth and I don't have to say much and just read each other's thoughts to be in the best position.

"We do talk a lot and keep each other on our toes. When you play together for six or seven years, that kind of understanding can't be bought.

"We are striving to improve and with Danny Mills here on loan - the club are trying to sign him permanently from Leeds - we're looking for a settled unit. We also have Colin Cooper, Chris Riggott, Franck Queudrue and Stuart Parnaby, so we have a good nucleus of defenders for now and the medium term.''

Ehiogu refuses to betray any semblance of apprehension at the prospect of four meetings with Henry, a striker he insists has no equal in terms of pace and ability on the ball.

"I always like to play against Henry,'' he said. "He is the benchmark - there is no-one quicker or more skilful in world football. To try to nullify him is something every defender looks forward to. It would be a feather in my cap.

"If there is no service coming to Ruud van Nistelrooy, it nullifies his game, whereas Henry can drift out wide and create things. In that way he is a lot harder to stop.

"Personally, it is more difficult for me to play against Henry. I voted for him as player of the year and I would again on current form. I have not voted for the same man twice in a row before.''

The month of January holds the key to Boro's season, and Ehiogu is acutely aware that the Gunners have it in their power to single-handedly destroy his side's ambitions.

"It's unusual to play Arsenal four times in a month,'' he said. "Everyone there can score goals. We would like to think that, in normal circumstances, we can deal with what they can throw at us, but you could get individual brilliance which you have to hold your hands up to.

"But we are confident that if we are on our game we can push Arsenal all the way.

"Each game will be different because the stakes will be different. They will be the favourites on every occasion, but that will allow us to relax.

"What we achieve depends on this month.

"Realistically, we want to finish in the top eight. We want to be in a cup final and still in the FA Cup. The next month will map out how well our season goes.

"The players here are good enough to be in the top eight or above. If the manager can bring someone in to better the squad, there will be no complaints from the players.''

Ehiogu tips Man. United to retain their title, but sees Arsenal as the main threat.

He said: "I can't see anyone taking the title from United. They have slightly the better squad, but Arsenal churn out results even when they are not playing that well. There is no difference between them.

"You can't write Arsenal off and you can't even write Chelsea off. You could say Arsenal have not hit top form yet - let's hope they don't find it until February!

"It will be an immense physical test to play them four times. They pull you around and really test you. If we take our chances it can take the pressure off. We have to stay level or get a lead. That's important because battling to get back a 1-0 deficit is tough.''

The trouble is, 1-0 is now never enough for the quick-fire Gunners.