No Robin van Persie. But if he was injured, surely he would not have been amongst the subs. The one player that looks like he is in some kind of form to drag the side out of its current mire sitting with a blanket over his legs to keep warm. Utterly mystifying and to many a sign that the manager is losing the plot. Is there a story behind the scenes we do not know about? Is he making noises about wanting to go? Upsetting team harmony? What team harmony! The only thing that is going to pull this disparate bunch of overpaid prima donnas together is a series of victories and the belief that they can win something.

Arsenal remain on their undefeated run, but there have been too many draws this season. Manchester United have demonstrated in the past that you can afford to lose matches as long as you don’t draw too many. The way Wenger’s team has been playing lately indicates that there are two distinct phases to the match. The first 70 minutes in which not going behind is a priority. And then the final flurry with fresh legs in which the idea that Arsenal are fitter than most will exploit fatigue-induced errors. And sometimes, it works.

West Ham though, expended so little energy trying to go forward that they had plenty in reserve and were able to leave north London with the point they came for. Fair enough. Just because Arsenal are charging Grade A prices for this game, the onus to give value for money is not on the visitors.

In the second half, a switch occurred that saw Nasri play in the hole behind Adebayor, with Bendtner moved wide right. It didn’t work because Nasri rarely saw enough of the ball to have much impact. Better to have shoved Diaby there and let Nasri play deeper. The ball so frequently makes its way across the midfield that to have a player with vision like Nasri somewhere in the chain at least gives the chance of a killer ball to one of the strikers or an overlapping player. But Arsene knows best, right?

The man’s given the club so much, but he is frustrating the hell out of the fans this season. And that the team do not seem to be able to perform well anymore reflects the overwhelming feeling in the country these days. And yet, football is supposed to be an escape and the participants in red and white shirts are hardly being affected by the credit crunch at the moment. However, it really doesn’t look as if they care that much anymore. It’s almost as if the manager has cocooned them so much and made them feel that they are so special that they don’t feel there is anything for them to prove.

What I’d give for a fan to be able to deliver the half time team talk. The passion is gone, and it’s reflected in the stands. Watching the match yesterday, there was an air of resignment in the crowd, taking its cue from the lack of action on the pitch. It’s why Theo Walcott is so popular despite his limitations. Because the boy will have a go. What Arsenal need are wingers who will beat defenders, take players on, give us something to get excited about. When was the last time a player genuinely tried to beat his man?

There is nothing exciting about watching Arsenal just keep possession and wait for a one-two to come off on the box to allow the space for a snap shot. Arsenal created chances yesterday, but even if they had won 1-0, it would not have felt a whole lot different. This group of players seem to have lost their way. It’s almost as if they are just going through the motions now. Playing for a draw themselves for the first three quarters of a match has this effect, but it’s the situation the club is in now that has brought this about.

The players lack confidence in their ability to play the commanding game of old, largely due to the technical poverty of some of those that are starting. Where there is no authority, there is little confidence and there minimal excitement. The side can’t afford to take risks these days as they know they will be punished.

So we plod along out of habit and all await a solution. Andrei Arshavin? It shows how concerned Wenger has become about the lack of creativity and imagination in the side that he has prioritized this player above the Flamini replacement that is so patently required, to say nothing of a commanding centre back. In a sense, Wenger thinks he has found a solution to the soft goals by playing cautious for so much of the game. And in truth, he may be right to have settled on this given his current resources.

But it sure doesn’t make for a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon when you are paying £90 odd to watch it.

Talking of money, for those familiar with the Spurs away pricing fiasco, if the club have asked you to volunteer to pay extra money to compensate Spurs for their cock-up, there is no requirement for you to do so. If you were sold the ticket at the price it was advertised, there is no legal obligation for you to pay extra. That is trades descriptions act basics. So keep your money if you have the choice. Some do and hopefully will. Given Arsenal’s current financial plight, I suspect that it will be Spurs who pay the price of this error and are simply paid at the lower rate they originally advertised the tickets where there is a shortfall. Remember the stink Tottenham made about Arsenal wanting to charge reduced prices for the home leg of the Carling Cup semi in 2007? Karma, I think they call it.