Losing to Newcastle was really bad news. Yes, Arsenal controlled the game for an hour, but the failure to wrap up the three points in that time allowed Newcastle to come back into contention. Yes, the ref was a homer, and Arsenal have benefited from that before at Highbury. With Gilberto presumably suspended for Chelsea’s visit, that at least forces Arsene Wenger to not select an out of form player, but I really don’t fancy Flamini and Fabregas to have big games against the Premiership leaders in their current form.

I don’t think you’d find many who would argue with the likelihood that any chance of the title is gone for the Gunners after suffering five defeats already this campaign, so now’s the time to bite the bullet and try something different. The midfield has rarely worked this season, so it’s time to get a bit of bite and spirit in there. Step forward Lauren and Kolo Toure. Lauren’s done it before and can be tenacious, but would ultimately the footballing half of the partnership. Toure is the ball winner.

Okay, so that leaves us a bit thin at the back. Let’s take a trip back in time. To one of the earlier of George Graham’s visits to White Hart Lane as Arsenal boss. From memory, although I stand to be corrected, an injury in the right back position forced George to field a raw kid by the name of Michael Thomas. Played a solid game and went on to do great things before he fell out with the manager. Okay, the prospect of two rookie full backs (Eboue and Gilbert) against Duff and Robben does not appeal, but are two out-of-form youngsters in the middle against Lampard, Essien and Gudjohnsen going to give us the basis for victory? At the very least, Wenger should consider playing Eboue and moving either of Lauren or Toure into the heart of things. I’d stick Toure in there to give Fabregas more of a minder than Gilberto has managed so far this season.

Yes, team balance is never ideal if you are introducing new faces, but let’s be frank here. Arsenal may have somehow garnered maximum points at Highbury up to now, but a) they’ve been lucky more than once and b) who have they played? The lesser teams of the top flight. If things are not going well, Wenger has to bite the bullet and chop and change. I’d even accept a different formation. Anything just to provide a bit of grit in the mix. The defence didn’t do badly at St James’ Park, but the players in front of them provided little in the way of cover when the going got tough. Yes, Gilberto was sent off, but it wasn’t so long ago that an Arsenal dismissal was a call to arms. Remember Liverpool in late 2001? Gio van Bronckhorst was dismissed very early on, but the boys rallied. One of a number of examples when ten men Arsenal produced against the odds. Well we’re against the odds on Sunday all right – defeat is not inevitable, but as likely as for any Chelsea visit in decades. If the Gunners were to lose, I could live with it a lot easier if I knew they’d fought their corner. With a likely midfield of four from Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Ljungberg and Pires, I just can’t see it happening. Wenger needs a scrapper (or two) in there, lifting the team around him.

Kick off on Sunday will see one of the last truly great atmospheres at Highbury as the fans get behind the team. Let us hope they have good reason to still be going come the game’s conclusion.