Sol Campbell has been either partially or wholly responsible for the goals that have seen Arsenal finish their previous four fixtures despondent. Out of the two domestic cup competitions and pointless in the league against two teams we would have expected to beat at the start of the current campaign. The man is having a personal nightmare, playing with kids alongside him and expected to be the leader of the defence, just at a time when his form has gone to pot, along with any semblance of the pace he used to enjoy. Perhaps, accompanied in the backline by Lauren, Toure and Cole he could have got through this dire spell without being as exposed as he has been. But time waits for no-one and I fear that Sol may never again be the player he was.

Arsène Wenger was right to take the number 23 off at half time against West Ham. The lack of commitment in the two challenges that led to the Hammers’ first half goals was shocking. Not what you’d expect from a man who harbours dreams of winning back his England first team place. Right now, he should be more worried about whether Sven Goran-Eriksson will include him in the squad. I fear for what Real Madrid might do to the player, should he be selected for the Bernabeu clash in three weeks’ time. I was just relieved that the Henry goal just before the interval spared the likelihood of the team being booed off the pitch. At the same time I was disappointed at the rush for the exits when West Ham went 3-1 up with nine minutes plus injury time to go. That is not the kind of support that the team need right now.

I read in ‘The Times’ this morning that ‘it has been that sort of season’ for Arsenal – referring to Henry’s early strike being blocked on the line by Freddie Ljungberg. True enough. Injuries, the woodwork, bad offside decisions, disallowed goals for reasons no-one can fathom, Toure going to Africa at the worst possible time. So many things aren’t going our way, you have to wonder if Roman Abramovich has now started spending his money on gypsies to place curses on the Gunners. Who could have predicted that at the beginning of a Premiership second half in February that the backline would read Flamini, Djourou, Senderos and Larsson? Something strange is definitely afoot.

One of the few positives to come from this dreadful campaign is that the lessons being learnt the hard way by the younger players will be invaluable for Arsenal’s future. Ideally, they would have been learnt in less disappointing circumstances, but there are already signs that some of the players will soon be ready to become automatic undisputed choices. Kerrea Gilbert, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby – and ahead of them and pretty much already automatic, Robin van Persie. What these kids are showing is desire and attitude. We only see these attributes sporadically from the more senior players at the moment, as if they’ve lost interest in the season, being so far behind in the bread and butter of the Premiership. My fear is that desire cannot just be turned on like a tap come February 21st and the one trophy Arsenal have even the slimmest chance of winning.

Still, in the last two matches, there have been signs of improvement, and this must now be built upon. The targets are simple. Survive in Europe, no matter what it takes, and scramble into the top four at home. To achieve this, the players and the fans need to pull together and dig in for the challenges ahead. There was a lot of moaning about individual mistakes against West Ham but there was also a buzz from many supporters, and singing in stands that are normally mute, as the longer term fans could see the team suffering and lent their voice to back the boys. Yes, it can feel hard to cheer them on when things are not going well. But that is the very time that support matters most, and true fans will always encourage the team, even if they are disappointing them. That, by nature, is the blind loyalty of a true football supporter. Someone I know that hardly ever attends away matches now feels the need to go to the game this weekend and back the lads in person. That is the kind of support needed now. I’m pleased that the team was not booed against West Ham. Arsenal have given us enough over recent years. Now, maybe it’s time the fans started to lift the team rather than vice-versa.

Who knows what might happen at St Andrews on Saturday (£42 admission, compared to £15 for their FA Cup replay), but those that can afford to attend will hope to witness that Arsenal’s desperate need to save their season begins with a spirited win against Birmingham, with no quarter given.