Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal: Where did it all go wrong?

I have to admit, I delayed writing this piece until today so as to try and figure out where it all went wrong. Just two weeks ago we were top of the table, playing great, and looked like finally winning a title. But now here we are with two defeats and a draw in our opening seven games, unable to beat teams like Fulham, Hull, and Sunderland. If we can't beat simple teams like them how do we expect to keep the consistency of beating bigger teams long enough to mount a serious challenge for the title?

I'm not usually a pessimistic person, so I'm going to present two views on our current situation. One is the optimistic view of things, and one is the pessimistic view. Let's start with the latter.

Pessimistic view: We are fourth in the table and struggling to beat teams like Hull and Sunderland. Arsene Wenger didn't invest in a Defensive Midfielder over their summer, and it's slowly killing the side's chances. We need a real fighter in midfield who will win the ball back and start our attacks swiftly and comprehensively. We need someone who will break down resistant teams by not letting them have the ball and will use his strength to break through opposing defenses and fight for balls into the box. He needs to be big and tall, and we need him soon. We are on course to finish fourth or lower this season. Our home record is gone, the other big four are recovering from any early-season blips and Man City are becoming a real force, leading Liverpool 2-0 and almost winning. We are slipping into obscurity and will continue to struggle with the small teams, going on to have a season like that of two seasons ago when we seriously competed for no honours whatsoever.

Optimistic view: The side is young, and with youth comes inconsistency. Arsene Wenger is working to establish this consistency and it is all that stands between us and the title. Despite our early-season gaffs, things can only get better, when Silvestre debuts, Eduardo, Rosicky, and Diaby return, and Bischoff proves he is just as good as we all hope he is. We may be struggling with early season form, but so did Man Utd last season, and look what they achieved. We will pull out of this, because our young players will step up and prove themselves, and Arsene will see the need for a new DM and buy the perfect player in January. We will then blow away our Premiership competitors with some amazing and unstoppable football into May when we will then be crowned champions.

Whichever side of the debate you're on, whether you have a pessimistic outlook or an optimistic one, it can be agreed that the next few weeks will be a defining time for our Premiership season. If we can stay right with the leaders until January, then we may have a real chance. However, if the major inconsistency continues, we could be looking at nothing to fight for other than Champions League places. Here's hoping we get our title challenge back on track and we emerge victorious,

Fab 4