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Arsenal resumed their inconsistency today with a terrible show which was punished by a solitary strike from Grant Holt in a sinking 1-0 defeat.

This team has received some rave reviews this season but with performances like today’s, their critics may never be calmed. The defeat leaves Wenger’s men now struggling at 9th on the table, and a massive ten points behind leaders Chelsea already.

The Gunners seemed to have grabbed control of the proceedings as a line-up unchanged from the one that won at West Ham passed the ball around with comfort. But as ever, it was their opponents who would teach them how to score.

A hopeful long-range shot from Tettey was spilled by Mannone and Grant Holt was faster than Mertesacker to react and guide the ball home. And Arsenal’s response to going behind was tame.

Indeed, the north Londoners were guilty of a very lethargic display in attack and which saw the hosts defend without any pressure. The closest Wenger’s men had come to scoring all day was a shot from Podolski which went just wide of the far post during the early moments of the match.

Strangely, the German was once again withdrawn after an hour for Oxlade-Chamberlain who was forced off with an injury. It was that sort of day for Arsenal. Nothing would go right for them, but then again, they had not created much either.

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