Lehmann has been culled, Gilberto’s days look numbered, but there is another player over 30 who seems to be surviving Arsene Wenger’s emphasis on younger players. And the final period of Wigan’s visit showed why William Gallas has become the exception that proves the rule.

His sheer will to win shone through in his play as the game threatened to peter out in a goalless draw. The cross for Arsenal’s opener came from right back Sagna and was finished by the left-sided centre back. You could call it total football or desperation. Certainly by that stage, the kitchen sink was being thrown at the visitors, but Gallas has a cool head to go with the passion that burns within him and gave a lesson to the forwards in how to get into position to finish off good work on the flanks.

Gallas was often making runs to join the attack before the goal as Wigan retreated more and more with the clock running down. At one stage when a free kick was awarded 20 yards outside the box and he instructed Rosicky to plant it onto his head as he made a run into the box. The Czech player failed to get enough flight on the ball but it was a surefire indication that the captain is very much the leader on the field.

And the relative youth of this Arsenal team needs a player who has been there and done it who can lead it in the right way. Firm but fair. I noticed on the all too rare occasions he played last season that he would give as good as he got when Lehmann was having a pop at his defence. No danger of intimidation there. Gallas is pumped up and will not settle for anyone giving less than they are capable of. And on occasion, as with the Wigan game, he will take the bull by the horns and sort things out himself.

It was what was required after a very below par performance by his team. With three quarters of the first choice midfield absent as well as the mooted return of Robin van Persie not transpiring, the attacking play seemed disjointed and understanding did not seem as obvious as when the team are at their best. Diarra looked a shadow of the player that graced the pitch in the same position against Newcastle in the Carling Cup, although on that occasion Alex Song was his midfield partner and so Diarra was the more attacking midfielder. This time, he was in the Gilberto/Flamini role, and it was Denilson who was constantly craving the ball (which was good to see) although he often elected to find Adebayor with the resulting path – a bit predicatable.

Theo Walcott’s injury came at the right time as he did little for me in this match, as is often the case. Match of the Day’s John Motson thought he had a fantastic first half, which makes me fear that senility has already arrived for the BBC man.

It is games like this that can lose titles. Cheap points dropped that can come to haunt a team at the season’s end. Remember 1998-99 and a crappy home draw v Charlton? If that had been a win, then Arsenal could have retained the title. But as long as the team remained calm, I always believed fitness would tell. Gallas had the coolest head on the pitch and it is vital he stays fit if Arsenal are going to maintain their challenge. Wigan should not have been a touch game, but Wenger’s charges made a tough game of it. December’s tests will be much sterner, but Cesc will return, as well as hopefully Van Persie. Hleb’s absence is also a big handicap, hopefully only a brief one though. At least there are no further international breaks for a while, as that’s when our players seem most likely to get crocked.