Wenger defiant in face of facts

CHRISTMAS was meant to be the time when the greatest title race in Premier League history sprung to life but now it seems, with the mince pies still warm and cold turkey still wilting on the buffet, there have already been at least three fallers.

Just 24 hours after Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas ruled his side out of title contention following a frustrating home draw against Fulham — and after Liverpool’s slim chances were similarly ended by dogged Blackburn — Arsenal joined the collective collapse by failing to beat 10-man Wolves in a ferocious, pulsating but ultimately frustrating match at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger’s side went ahead through Gervinho, dominated all 96 minutes of the game and pummelled the visitors’ goal, especially in the second half, only to be denied by a freak equaliser from Steven Fletcher, by increasingly desperate defending and by a quite astonishing performance from Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.