Okay, so a few seasons ago, Arsenal boasted the 'Untouchables' - a team so good that in most games at Highbury, they often were 2-3 goals up before half an hour was up. A team that went to Inter Milan, conceded a soft equaliser and yet still won 1-5. They go 49 games unbeaten and were 20mins away from going 50 unbeaten, until Rooney imitated 'Swan Lake' at Old Trafford (but that is another story). Now, this season's Arsenal team wins 6 points off of Man Utd, but lose 9 points to West Ham and Sheff. Utd. Totally inconsistent, can't score before half time - if at all - and leak goals like a sieve.

So, what is different from 2-3 seasons ago?

2003/04 Arsenal:

Lehmann; Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole; Ljungberg, Vieira, Gilberto, Pires; Bergkamp, Henry

This side had a very strong spine; Lehmann, Campbell, Vieira and Henry. In central midfield, there are two defensive midfielders capable of attacking, but crucially, providing a defensive wall for defence and being a platform for the now infamous counter attacks such as the ones seen in 2002 that destroyed Leeds 4-1 at Elland Road. In Vieira they have a player in the form of his life, a born leader and a gladiator. The support cast looks great too; Clichy, Senderos, Edu, Wiltord, Kanu and Parlour. They also add £20m Reyes to the side in January to bolster an already lethal attack. And yes, there were some players being carried along too; Keown and Cygan. Playing at Highbury, this team swept aside all in the Premiership; not all in style, and not without a few jammy results. They had a very visible team bond and fought hard for each other. The defensive central midfield pairing was key. Petit and Vieira had it, and Gilberto finally replaced the Petit-shaped hole that was unsuccessfully filled by van Bronckhorst and then Edu. It does have to be said though, that Edu did have a very good final season at the club, and losing him on a Bosman was in hindsight a bad move. But, I guess we have no idea if Arsene Wenger knew anything about the condition of his knee ligaments; as they ruptured on both legs in the last two seasons…

2006/07 Arsenal:

Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky; Adebayor, Henry.

This side have a large contingent of the 2004 vintage remaining, all have aged (of course) and have some disappointments under their belts too (Champions League Final loss in 2006 as well as a World Cup 2006 loss for the French players). Of the spine, only Lehmann and Henry remain, but Gallas has replaced Campbell, and the magical Fabregas has replaced Vieira. However, Henry is now captain, and the mercurial striker is renowned for his pouting and petulance towards team-members when the chips are down. Plus, he was linked to Barcelona for most of 2005/06, snubbing them at the last minute to sign a huge deal, dwarfing other dressing room wages. Some might say he drove Reyes out of the club, but has also helped Arsene Wenger make quality players join such as Diaby, Gallas and the new Uber-Kid - Walcott - by staying at the new Emirates Stadium, a 60,000 capacity super-stadium; bigger than Highbury in all aspects - including the pitch. Cole has also left - for rivals Chelsea, disappointing the fans and the players.

The 2007 side look more direct, and less defensive than the 2004 side. There seem to be more goals. But there hasn't been. Why?

Well, here are my conclusions, and I appreciate they may be different from your own...

1) The new stadium. Less atmosphere than Highbury (some might ask if that were indeed possible at times), a bigger pitch, with visiting sides wary of this and thus playing far more defensively.

2) Injuries. Henry, van Persie, Rosicky, Gallas, Clichy and Ljungberg have all been injury prone this season. Most played at the World Cup, making it a strenuous summer campaign.

3) Lack of form. Both Hleb and Rosicky have failed to produce the 20+ goals a season Ljungberg and Pires were getting in the past. Their form has been sporadic at best; wonderful against Reading away, woeful against West Ham at home. However, both are new to English football, and time should be on their side.

4) Henry. Not the player he once was, due to age. A lightning fast attacker cannot expect to be the same throughout his career. Injuries have taken their toll as well as cup disappointments. Henry's head was turned by Camp Nou and he fell out big time with Reyes after 'Aragones Gate'. Plus he has seen best mates Pires and Vieira leave, as well as Cole and Wiltord.

5) Poor man-management. Campbell, Pires, Edu and Wiltord all walked pretty much for free. As did Lauren and van Bronckhorst. Most disagree with Wenger's 'over 30 policy' - only giving out one year contracts to over 30's. These are all big, expensive and popular players. Some might say replaced poorly by Baptista, Flamini, Eboue and Senderos.

6) Wenger. Creating a new dynasty is one thing. Building on an existing one is quite another. As I have said in previous posts, Wenger had the chance to build on the 2004 squad's achievements, but he chose to look 3-4 seasons ahead and build a new team. This has cost us trophies in the last two seasons. With better, or more composed finishing, Arsenal could have lifted trophies in the last two cup finals they played in. Wenger's tactics are lacking, and this is shown up on the pitch, where, ultimately, it counts more than on the training ground.

7) Post Bergkamp. How do you replace a genius? Easy, get another one. Enter Fabregas. But wait, he has to replace two; Bergkamp's vision and Vieira's motor in midfield. And he's a boy at 19! Hmm, that isn't right. Surely Rosicky could play the number 10 position like he does for the Czechs and as he used to do in Prague and Dortmund? But no, he is playing wide left. What about Hleb, a great 10 for Stuttgart and Belarus, maybe he can do the job? Nope, he is wide right, and he can't cross the ball. Something isn't right here at all...

8) The Chelsea factor. Chelsea have come into money. Therefore they can buy who they want. Arguably, Essien, Wright-Phillips and Drogba were shoe-in Arsenal signings pre-Abramovich. I am sure Wenger has known about each one for a good long while. Now, Chelsea can snap up Richards, Alves and anyone else at will. Arsenal have to buy from the next tier down. Plus, Chelsea can tempt their rivals' players - step forward Ashley Cole... or Gerrard, or Ferdinand, or maybe even Cristiano Ronaldo...

So, what can be done? Well, a clearout is expected at the end of the season. Expect to see Flamini, Lehmann, Baptista, Reyes and Ljungberg to leave. Coming in? Well, it could be anyone's guess. On paper, Wenger has a quality defence. He has two experienced players per position up until midfield. Here, it falls down. Gilberto wasn't a midfield enforcer; Vieira was. Fabregas is a genius, but too lightweight. Hleb and Rosicky are out of position. A fit Walcott could solve one wide problem. Up front, if Henry gets fit, he supplements Adebayor and van Persie well. Baptista has proved to be average at best and useless at worst. Aliadiere's time has come and gone with the reserves.

So, a few quality players needed. Jesus Navas looked class against Spurs. Daniel Alves wasn't as good as I expected against Tottenham in the UEFA Cup first leg, but he has time on his side as he is 24. Tevez is a matador who amazed me in Sydney with his gold medal winning performances in a superb Argentina U23 squad (as did Mascherano and Coloccini). Huntelaar is a decent poacher. Sneijder is far too good for the Dutch league and has two very good feet. But he is quite short for a central midfielder. Wright-Phillips needs games. His dad is an Arsenal legend. Richards is an amazing athlete, but commands a hefty price-tag. Torres has the potential to rule the world, but his price will match that. Robinho perhaps too lightweight for the Premiership. These players I think are within Arsenal's reach, and would fulfil AW's strict criterion; Klauss-Jan Huntelaar; strong, tall, mobile, capable of scoring headers and tap-ins, Wesley Sneijder; versatile, can use both feet, young and athletic, Daniel Alves; again, versatile, can pass, shoot and can run forever. None of those players would be above £12m. They won't have Galactico prices. And I do actually think Arsenal lack a bit of English grit; Hoyte and Walcott are welcome additions to the squad, and I am sure Wright-Phillips, Richards and Owen would be pricey but extremely decent signings, filling in some glaring holes exposed this season (right back, right midfield, centre forward).