"It would be a fatal mistake to look at this fixture as anything other than a big test." - Arsene in the West Brom programme.

Such sentiments should also have been enhanced by the post match news that the leaders had dropped points. A chance to gain ground before Stamford Bridge. The arrogant and complacent performance was indeed a "fatal mistake".

We were in the poor first half at Sunderland, strangely out-passed. This was masked by a fluke goal and improved second half. There was no mask today, and wouldn't have been even been if we'd lucked out and completed an undeserved comeback. Credit to West Brom. They came, they played, and although we won't often play as poorly, they showed that kicking Arsenal is not the only way to get a result against them. Especially not on days such as this.

An Almunia save from a penalty he'd given away in the first place was all that stopped us going in a goal down at the break. And yet you knew changes which should have then been made would not be. Yet. The same team were allowed to lead us to conceding the first goal before Wilshere and Rosicky entered. The rot had set in by then, and embarrassing second and third goals followed.

Almunia at fault for the second. He'd had an encouraging start to the season, but is always capable of costing. Boos greeted his next touch from the East Stand, lessons not learnt from Eboue. Manuel Almunia is not good enough for Arsenal Football Club, but it’s not his fault he's not. He doesn't pick himself and probably wouldn't if he could.

That the latest error comes on the back of record breaking profits means it will be treated even harsher. He wasn't the only player to let us down today, but with money clearly available there simply must be better out there.

Alex Song. Since his Bolton goal and the disappearance of his dreadlocks for some fluffy sponge top doo, he's not been the same. Poor at Sunderland even before the sending off, and off the boil along with others today. He seems too concerned with going forward, rather than doing the vital breaking up play job from which he's earned deserved praise.

Diaby enjoys a European stroll but was not up for it here. Perhaps he can't quite believe he's already fit following the Robinson assault.

Arsenal only decided to play after it got too embarrassing at three nil. Or rather Sami Nasri did, continuing to care and enhance his Gooner reputation with much missed passion and two well-taken goals. He and Wilshere are the only players I give credit too after such a dogsh*t awful display.

So doom, gloom, complacent and an arrogant lack of effort which won't be not good enough to win the things that matter.

But to end on the only positive I can think of...

Barcelona 0-2 Hercules. Sh*t happens. Even to the best of them.

*Follow my Arsenal ramblings on Twitter @TheArsenal_