It was Ozil's seventh league goal of the season and it sealed three points for the Gunners, after Alvaro Negredo cancelled out Alexis Sanchez's exquisite free-kick.
Although the Frenchman accepted that the display was far from flawless, Wenger was thrilled with the level of commitment from his players, having seen them crumble in a 3-0 loss at Crystal Palace last time out.
German global Mesut Ozil was the hero as his goal in the 71st minute gave the Gunners a deserved win. Boro are second bottom, six points adrift of safety with six games left.
Boro started in lively fashion, but their momentum was rather sapped when Fabio was forced off following lengthy treatment to what appeared to be a calf injury.
We need a win and I'm confident we'll get it.
Boro heads were down after an encouraging half ended in disappointment, but they responded quickly after the restart. We pushed them back, and you're just thinking the ball is going to bounce in the right area.
Asia stocks slip, dollar surrenders gains amid N. Korea tensions
The local dollar traded at 55.76 British pence from 56 pence late on Monday and fell to 65.85 euro cents from 66.12 cents. Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday as tensions over the situation on the Korean Peninsula softened somewhat following U.S.
German midfielder Mesut Ozil grabbed a close-range victor for Arsenal in the 71st minute.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that his players must forget about the Premier League this week and instead focus on the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday.
The Gunners knew before the game that a victory against relegation threatened Middlesbrough will be of great help for them, and fought hard to record an incredible win.
"It was telling that coming together at the end because there [are] some big characters there and it felt like a big win for them, not just because of three more points in the race for the top four but to quell the criticism they've had".
- Middlesbrough are winless in 15 Premier League games - their longest such run in the division.
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