Taking the longer view, four points from visits to Anfield and Turf Moor in December cannot be grounds for complaint. However, having won three of those at Liverpool, the visit to Burnley was a fantastic opportunity to make a statement of intent for a team that has proved very inconsistent lately.

Dominating the opening 20 minutes or so, Arsenal had enough opportunities to put the game to bed, but only Fabregas scored. Burnley recovered, and were never cut apart with the ease that the early exchanges witnessed. By the end of the game, the visitors could consider themselves fortunate to have held on for a draw, as the best chances fell to their hosts.

It was a familiar sight once Wenger’s team’s purple patch had passed. Making very hard work of breaking through the middle of a packed defence and, frankly, being pretty predictable and fairly easy to negate. Not many of the players can consider themselves happy with their night’s work. Maybe Gallas, Vermaelen, Song, Nasri and Fabregas put in acceptable shifts. Others were either anonymous or careless.

I watched the match at the screening held back at Ashburton Grove. There was a lot of frustration with Arsenal’s play, and the two individuals who came in for the most stick were Almunia and Walcott – the latter even getting applauded off – not for his performance but because those present were simply delighted to see the back of the lad.

I was disappointed when Almunia was named in the starting line-up after his shocker last Sunday. And he was arguably even worse last night. The players in front of him have zero confidence in the man and it shows in the uncertainty when aerial balls come into the area that is traditionally controlled by the goalkeeper. It leads to situations like Vermaelen almost scoring an own goal and the needless concession of corners. It’s not good, and the manager has to have the balls to drop a player whose form has gone to pot. Let’s see if Fabianski is a serious contender before the end of the immediate transfer window. The existing first choice has to be dropped, his confidence shot.

As for Theo, sadly, nothing new there. Simply too much running into opposition players rather than finding a team-mate. Moves break down and counter attacks often occur. I feel sorry for some of the better players who are asked to line up alongside young men who simply aren’t good enough. God alone knows what their private thoughts are (although Arshavin speaks honestly enough to give us an idea), but it can’t be good for team spirit.

Chelsea extended their lead by two points, and although it’s not a gulf between the leaders and third place, it’s one I can’t see Arsenal crossing. Ivan Gazidis has stated that ‘fourth place is unacceptable’. Maybe he’ll settle for third. Realistically, that is as much as this group of players can achieve. The only way of changing that is the introduction of the right type of new faces. I’m not holding my breath.