Our current team have shown this season that it is thriving with talent and on our day we can outplay and outpass any team in England as well as Europe. In the last month we have seen fine performances against the Mancs at Old Trafford and the Scousers at Anfield. Since then though fans and pundits alike have been pointing at one thing and one thing only, the weakness that lies in our defence, and of course the lack of squad depth.

Many fans feared our small squad at the start of the season, and thought we would eventually peter out near the end of the campaign - as teams like United have Nani, Anderson and Hargreaves to call out from the reserves - which in recent weeks has become a reality. Most were worried how we would cope during the African Cup of Nations in January and February with Kolo Toure and Eboue missing, not so much the latter but still a small loss. In the end we had a good run through this spell and picked up four wins against Newcastle (in league and cup), Man City and Blackburn. Our real problems have come since the dreadful injury to Eduardo and the penalty which wasn’t at Birmingham. Since then we have drawn four, lost twice and won twice in the league. Good results in the Champions League against Milan covered up some of the cracks in this bad run. This is where the defence has been criticized but there is something else I have spotted and I’m sure a few of you have noticed.

Our team lacks fight. We’re now not first to the punch and try to let the football do the talking. Don’t think for a minute that I am against the football we play - I think it’s brilliant and Wenger is a genius - but we have been found wanting when the game gets a bit argy bargy. At times we have needed someone like Gallas to come over and show his authority, square the opposition up and give them a look that will make them forget even trying to take out Cesc or Hleb the next time they get the ball at their feet. The last time I saw conviction and anger from an Arsenal player was Gallas giving Nani a kick for his showboating in the FA Cup thrashing and Bendtner and Adebayor’s face-off in the humiliation at the Lane. Having a physical presence in the team would benefit our playmakers immensely as they would feel far more relaxed and not be worried they were going to be kicked into the advertising boards when they have their backs to the opposition defence.

And it goes back to what some many people have said in the fanzine and on this website previously. We have never found an adequate replacement that shares the same physical attributes as Patrick Vieira, who could intimidate officials as well as the opposition. Flamini has had a great season and his workaholic attitudes have really bonded him with the fans. But the big difference (don’t mind the pun) is how they weigh up to each other. Flamini is 5’10 and Paddy was the best part of 6’4 - that’s some considerable difference when you’re lining up against him. Comparing the midfield of the Invincibles to our current midfield, the 2003/04 unit averaged a height of 6’0 and an average weight of 12.1 stone a player. The current team midfield averages a height of 5’9 (including Rosicky) and an average weight of 10.9 stone a player. As you can see that is a considerable weight and height difference.

Our defence is also a lot less aggressive as well as smaller in size compared to the likes of mad Martin and the leader at the back Sol Campbell. The back four of the Invincibles averaged a height of 5’10 and weighed on average 12.2 stone a man. The current team’s back four averages 5’11 in height and an average weight of 11.5 stone a man again you can see that even though the current back four are slightly taller on average they still weigh more than half a stone less.

You can take away from this piece what you will but I am just trying to prove a point. Yes, we know what areas we need to improve on and the areas we need to buy players for. But Wenger needs to look for players with a bit more of a physical presence and not just technical ability, or be prepared to see the team being bullied into submission up north yet again.