TERRACE TALK: Arsenal - Woeful lack of firepower costing us dearly

The omens were hardly auspicious en route to West Brom on Saturday when the blokes in the back of the car with me admitted their only other away day this season was the dismal defeat at the Bridge.

Perhaps I was no less at fault, having dug out my longjohns for the first time this season, in the face of such a bitterly cold snap.

Following a fortnight in which the world’s worst horrors have been brought to our doorstep, making everyone terrifyingly aware of our vulnerability, I was positively desperate for the blissful distraction of the resumption of Premier League hostilities.