0 – 1 Morrison (22)
1 – 1 Henry (67 pen)

“Gentlemen, you got us into this mess. You get us out of it.” – Graham Taylor’s half time team talk when Aston Villa manager as his team trailed 0 – 2 at Crewe in an FA Cup tie.

And it could equally apply at Arsenal right at this moment in time. Three games, two draws and a defeat is the clubs worst start since 1991-92 and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that by half time on Sunday at Old Trafford, Arsenal could be bottom of the Premiership – Sheffield United entertain Reading, Watford are at home to Aston Villa and Blackburn face Manchester City in a 3pm kick-off on Sunday, all of which may well be home wins. Forget talk of crisis though, that would only apply if the club are still in same position with three games to go at the end of the season. This is pure and simple a bad start but if they are as profligate in front of h ingoal next weekend, then four games without a win is staring them in the face particularly as United are in good form.

Sixteen corners and twenty four shots on goal with only one hitting the back of the net does not make easy reading for Arsene. He admitted as much in his post match interview but quite rightly he has faith in his squad. It is impossible to list all of the chances, saved by Schwarzer, blocked by defenders. Suffice to say, “walking the ball into the net” or words to that effect are being bandied about, Hleb, Ljungberg, Gallas and Eboue unable to consistently provide the necessary width to break down a resolute defence. In turn, the Arsenal defence was pierced with their second meaningful attack, Euell and Morrison combining to leave the latter through on Lehmann, who was beaten with a cool finish using the outside of Morrisons’ boot. Other than that, Gallas made a solid start to his Arsenal career but his talents were surely wasted at Left Back. It is all very well Wenger being concerned about blocking the developmental path of Djourou and Senderos in the centre. However, to have a World Class Centre Half in the full back position is perhaps a questionable use of talent. Personally, I would rather have seen Flamini there with Gallas in the centre than yesterday’s pairing. Djourou has the potential to be very good but that is all it is; Saha and Rooney may well give him the same torrid runaround that Drogba did in Cardiff and West London last season.

van Persie looked more threatening in front of goal than Adebayour had previously but still could not pierce the visitors defence. In Woodgate, Middlesbrough may have found a rock to replace Gareth Southgate and on this showing, he may yet play himself back into the England team although that would have to be at the expense of Ferdinand following McClaren’s public statement of support for John Terry. Schwarzer had one of those afternoons as home fans describe them when frankly if he had stuck his backside out in the middle of a centre circle it would have stopped a shot on goal – a blinder in fairness to him with good saves from the Dutchman and Henry in equal measure.

The surprise for me though was the ommission of Rosicky from the starting XI, something Wenger must have regretted as the game wore on. More worringly for him must be the lack of width, ironically as Arsenal play regularly on a bigger pitch, the one attribute they have had for years is missing following the departure of Pires and Cole, Gael Clichy will surely be a welcome return on that front being a natural fullback.

At this moment in time, the main concern is the lack of goals and points. A ten point deficit on Manchester United at this stage of the season is not good, particularly as the two sides meet next Sunday. Arsenal have put unnecessary pressure on themselves early on and now have to take points from teams that are close rivals in the race for the Champions League places and at a ground where we have not been particularly successful. But before that there is the small matter of a visit to Hamburg. You get the feeling that this is a team that need a win to boost their belief. The next two games may not give them that boost.