Of all the reasons advanced for the fall away in our challenge for honours, it is ironic that it is the failure to emulate an Arsenal tradition that has cost us. Previous teams were not admired by neutrals in the same way the current one is, and were not as enjoyable to watch, but could often grind out results when it mattered. It seems unlikely, however, that this team will often hear the (partly) self mocking but proud chant of '1-0 to the Arsenal'.

This inability to keep a clean sheet has led us to shed key points on the run-in. As soon as the goals have started to dry up we have turned wins into draws (and with only two losses so far this season, we know that it is the draws that have cost us). We now need to score at least twice to win. Only three times this season have we won 1-0 in the League (another one in other competitions) the latest being versus Chelsea back in mid-December. Compare this to Chelsea's eight so far and Man Utd's seven. Yet we have drawn 1-1 six times, three times after taking the lead and three times coming back from behind. To this you can also add the recent Chelsea defeat after being one up and the CL second leg v Liverpool where, for all our scintillating start, it was our failure to defend the lead which cost us, twice.

It is this lack of a defensive bedrock which is the margin between challengers and champions. Moreover, you have to wonder if the extra effort involved in having to claw back positions in games is a factor in our end of season fatigue (and possibly injuries?)

From recent comments, when he has been uncharacteristically critical of the defence, Arsene Wenger does seem to realise this costly failing. I don't think anyone would be surprised, however, if his solution will prove to be the elevation of Nordtveit to the first team squad rather than an experienced signing. Senderos was similarly highly rated at youth level but again, at Liverpool, has been found wanting at crucial times. Yet it is possible to find quality at reasonable prices (Vidic or possibly Skrtel, not forgetting Sagna, of course) to give us better, or at least additional, options.

I'm not asking for a return to the old Arsenal or want us to be like Chelsea but unless we can ally our attacking flair with some defensive stability, it seems that we are always going to fall short when it matters. Rather than a left winger or another striker I think defence has to be the priority for the summer.