Some players off-form, some simply not good enough. It’s the latter that concern me the most. If you want a squad good enough to challenge for the title, then those that come in to do a job need the quality to do said job competently.

Arsenal looked pretty much as they did in the first two competitive outings this season, only this time, they failed to convert. Fulham scored a well-worked set piece at which the defence were once again exposed as not being up for the physical battles, Gallas pretty much giving up on the ‘challenge’ that allowed Fulham’s Norwegian stopper to score. Adebayor headed against the post, shot wide, whilst Van Persie’s free kicks were hopeless and his shooting in open play equally poor.

But Arsenal never really looked like a team that was in control of the game, and a large part of this was to do with the poverty of the passing and movement when in possession. Laborious, predictable. The crossing wasn’t all that either, mostly being swallowed up by Schwarzer. Yes, we miss Fabregas, but should we be this poor without him? Even once he comes back, who is his partner supposed to be? If it’s Alex Song, then why was he put on at centre back with Eboue and Denilson left on?

As for Theo, the Highbury Spy has a feeling that his team-mates do not trust him with the ball and thus do not pass to him. And frankly, there may be something in this. For the amount of opportunities the player gets on the flank, the return is questionable. Wenger is loyal to him because he desperately want s more domestically developed players in the squad (due to UEFA’s rules). But, frankly, he’s bought a pup. Yes, we’ll always have Anfield, and the San Siro, but there’s not a lot else and there have been plenty of opportunities.

Not that I’m blaming Walcott for the woe at Craven Cottage. Everyone must take responsibility. But for the most part, sadly, the manager is more to blame. He has invested his faith in some possibles rather than probables. They have let him down. Three of the midfield that started against Fulham should not be options for a first team place – even when there are injuries. They are too inconsistent. The fourth – Nasri – is a wait and see.

Fabregas returns on Wednesday night, and hopefully the manager will sign someone to partner him. He’s kidding himself if he thinks he has anyone on the books at the moment capable of doing so. The performances against Twente and West Brom were warnings, Craven Cottage the consequence. It’s at times like this you have to question whether or not Arsene really does know anymore…