Not usually one for pointing to inadequacies in his players performance, but Arsene Wenger nevertheless was forced to accept the basic truth after Sunday’s 3-1 humbling by Manchester United at The Emirates Stadium, in which he questioned his sides’ game both side both“ offensively and defensively.” Wenger saw his players denied time and space against a well drilled United side. Wayne Rooney was always on Wenger’s radar, but the display from Nani must have even surprised Sir Alex Ferguson. After seeing his side despatch the Gunners by the same scoreline in last season’s Champions League semi-final, Ferguson stated that Arsenal would be title challengers this season, and pointed to the injuries to key personal, notably Robin Van Persie.

 

Ironed out
A year later, and the Scot has been proven right. Arsenal have constructed a stronger title challenge than last year, but the same scoreline defeat and the same injured player in striker Van Persie would suggest that the United manager could do a neat line in fortune telling. Wenger saw the truth painfully laid out in front of him and for all to see. In the current guise, and on Sunday’s display, this Arsenal side are just not good enough. The ten game unbeaten run prior to the loss to United would suggest that Wenger had ironed out all the creases where his side are concerned, but prior to that run, it was Chelsea who came to north London last November and left with all three points.

Unlike Arsenal
The signs have been ominous for Wenger. The grabbing of a late leveller against Everton when the Toffees were worthy of a win, the going down by two goals at home to Bolton before storming back for a 4-2 win, and also the disappointment of a 0-0 at Villa Park. Aston Villa have beaten United, Liverpool and Chelsea this season, so perhaps that last one may be a bit harsh, but prior to the Villa game, there was the FA Cup 4th round defeat to Stoke. Only Cesc Fabregas and Denilson played in that game, in which Sol Campbell made a welcome return to Arsenal. However, the manner in which Wenger has seen his defenders storm forward in support of the attack, and then get caught on the counter at pace has been most unlike the Arsenal of sides past.

Ruthless
Against Everton, Stoke and United in particular, Arsenal have managed to contrive to lose a goal when they were on the attack. Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas have great attacking instincts, but against United, with both players well up the pitch, United were able to pick off the Gunners with ruthless efficiency. Everton and Stoke did the same, and earlier in the season, so did Manchester City at Eastlands. Wenger will have a solution or two, but how will he be able to compromise his overwhelming attacking instincts with the need to stress that defensive duties cannot be compromised?

Window shut
If Arsenal scored with every attack then there would be no problem. That sadly doesn’t happen, so at least two defenders, need to be intelligent enough to resist the temptation to surge forward and sit back, depending on what side of the pitch the Gunners are in possession. With another transfer window now firmly shut, Wenger has again backed his players to be strong enough to cope with the demands of the second half of the season.

'Keeper concerns
Sadly after his woeful performance and lack of concentration against United, Manuel Almunia appears to have his mind elsewhere. He was at fault for United’s opener and forgot that he could hold the ball when it reaches him from a throw-in. Denilson too seems out of sorts and one wonders if his back/hip injuries are really healed. Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky were to supply the width against United, but the two spent more time trying to effectively get into the game, rather than impose themselves on it. Andrey Arshavin was asked again to patrol up front alone, and but for a moment when he turned Wes Brown for shot that just didn’t curl into the net, he cast lonely figure. With the score at 3-0 and still over 30 minutes remaining, Wenger resisted bringing on Nicklas Bendtner to support Arshavin in a conventional 4-4-2. By the time Vermaelen got onto the score-sheet, the threatened rally came far too late for any thoughts of a famous comeback, so tactically Wenger missed a trick.

Priceless
And so to Sunday, and another must win game at Chelsea. The way the Blues have responded from their December malaise has encouraged Carlo Ancelotti, who has seen Chelsea perform with pace and power – almost Arsenal like if you will. The Gunners of course know what it takes to win at Stamford Bridge as witnessed last year with Van Persie’s brace. How much has the Holland striker been missed? In terms of goals, one could argue not too much. But in terms of his pace, skill and intelligence up front, his absence has been priceless for opposition defenders. The season still has some way to go, and Wenger knows things change quickly in football. He of all people will need to arrest the decline from last Sunday and hope for better things this Sunday.

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