TERRACE TALK: Arsenal - Arsene Wenger the common denominator in cycle of failure

What now for Arsenal? Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea left them 12 points behind the league leaders and probable champions, but the manner of the loss was such that it raises bigger questions than how to deal with another title challenge that’s over so early in the season.

The only thing the Gunners can complain about is the opening goal and, in fairness, in games like these it’s so often a decisive factor. Marcos Alonso didn’t deliberately elbow Hector Bellerin, but when you render an opponent almost unconscious with a forearm smash, you shouldn’t be surprised if a foul is awarded against you.

The only little bit of credit Arsenal get from the Stamford Bridge encounter is that they didn’t hesitate in taking the Spanish full-back off. We’ve seen teams too many times allow players who have clearly been concussed to play on, so it was absolutely the right thing to do to replace him.