Five straight league draws, four of which were goalless has extended our unbeaten run to over 15 games in all competitions.

We have an easy-looking path to the semis of the FA Cup and a good platform to progress to the last eight of the Champions League - they are our season savers, because our current league form is starting to deeply concern me.

It felt like GG was back in charge after Saturday’s latest Ashburton horror show. We are fortunate not to be trailing Villa by eight points after yesterday’s match. A even worse thought was the chance the Spuds could be lifting a second trophy in 12 months, but at again, the dice fell kindly for Gooners yesterday afternoon.

Despite that, I found the prospect deeply depressing. We should take the League Cup much more seriously next season. It is a trophy that our regular first team could win with ease. The brutal facts of our last five league outings is that we would be better off had we lost three and won two. Not great for team morale but better for the points count. And points mean prizes in this league.

For me, Champions League qualification via league position is now looking remote at best. Why?

Because Arsenal can't defend and attack at the same time. Simple as that. We have sacrificed our attacking flair for clean sheets. Maybe Arsene has managed to plug a few holes at the back and then sat down and assumed that the goals will come. Five years ago we could do that. Henry, Pires, Wiltord, Freddie, DB10 and even Pat would have the quality to break through in these tough games and get us a winner. Now it would seem, if RVP is not on his shooting game, forget it. Arshavin won't be up to speed till next August. As for Adebayor, he is waiting till May to get his move to Milan or Juventus.

The reality of our situation is that without Champions League football next season the following players will probably want to leave:

Fabregas
Adebayor
Nasri
Van Persie
Rosicky
Clichy

The ones that we should show the door will probably be the ones that hang around and get 50% pay rises...