To borrow a famous line from a GAA match report printed in this paper, Bayern Munich appear to have driven the final nail in Arsene Wenger’s coffin of hope, writes Larry Ryan.

France 0 Switzerland 0: France topped Group A despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Switzerland — who also qualified for the last 16 — in Lille.

Euro 2016 Group E Qualifier

Switzerland 2 France 5

Switzerland 2 France 5

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1

Arsenal have confirmed the departure of two players on season-long loan deals, with Johan Djourou and Francis Coquelin temporarily moving away from the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has joined Bundesliga side Hannover on loan until the end of the season, the Premier League club have announced.

Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker could be available after illness for the New Year’s Day trip to Southampton.

Theo Walcott continued as Arsenal’s lone striker for the third straight game as the Gunners looked to end the year on a high with victory over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud will miss tomorrow’s Capital One Cup clash with Bradford with a back injury.

Arsenal will be without forwards Lukas Podolski (hamstring) and Theo Walcott (calf) for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna is doubtful for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Swansea because of a foot injury.

Arsenal will have forward Theo Walcott back from a shoulder problem for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Everton.

Arsenal will assess the fitness of several first-team players ahead of tomorrow’s north London derby against Tottenham.

Arsenal will be without suspended midfielder Jack Wilshere for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

Reading 5 Arsenal 7

Arsenal will make a host of changes for tomorrow’s Capital One Cup clash with Reading at Madejski Stadium.

Full-back Bacary Sagna could return to the Arsenal squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against QPR after recovering from a broken leg.

Arsenal hope to have defender Laurent Koscielny (back) available for tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Schalke, but midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain misses out (hip).

Norwich 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal will be without defender Laurent Koscielny (back) for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Norwich.

Arsenal could have defender Per Mertesacker back from a virus for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to West Ham.

Abou Diaby will miss tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Olympiakos – and the next three weeks – with a thigh strain.

John Terry captains Chelsea in this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, where midfielder Frank Lampard again starts on the bench.

Arsenal expect to have captain Thomas Vermaelen back from a virus for tomorrow’s showdown against Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal 6 Coventry 1

Arsenal 6 Coventry 1

Arsenal will have goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny available again following a rib injury for tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Southampton.

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny returns to the squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Stoke City 0 Arsenal 0

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Sunderland for the Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke.

As Robin van Persie prepares to make his Manchester United debut tonight, the club he left behind is suffering an identity crisis.

Arsenal have named an unchanged starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Norwich at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League game at Stoke after suffering from a virus.

Roberto Di Matteo made as many changes as realistically possible for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League clash at Arsenal today.

Here we go again.

Arsenal 1 Wigan 2

Full-back Kieran Gibbs has a 50-50 chance of returning against Wigan as his groin injury is healing fast, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

While their London neighbours continue to falter under threat from Tyneside, Arsenal are serving up a sprint finish as the Champions League race enters the home straight.

Arsene Wenger has refused to set Arsenal a points target to finish third in the Barclays Premier League ahead of tonight’s trip to Wolves.

Arsenal will have centre-half Laurent Koscielny available following a knee problem for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to QPR.

Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 0

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will not be risked for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has shrugged off a minor calf problem to be fit for the Barclays Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow night.

There hasn’t been a transformation like this in football since Emmanuel Eboue went from boo-boy to folk hero because when Thomas Vermaelen scored a dramatic last-minute goal against Newcastle it turned the Emirates into a cauldron of passion and Arsenal into serious contenders for third place.

Brazil full-back Andre Santos could return to the Arsenal squad for Monday night’s Premier League clash against Newcastle after recovering from a broken ankle.

Arsenal midfielders Yossi Benayoun (virus) and Tomas Rosicky (groin) both face fitness tests ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League last-16 second leg clash against AC Milan at Emirates Stadium.

At the end of the week when Rangers and Portsmouth went into administration, is it sensible to question the prudent housekeeping of Arsene Wenger?