9 out of 11 wins says our fans would prefer an Adams

Even when things arent going particularly well for us in the Premiership there are always home games that get us out of bed early and down the Highbury Barn, via the bookies and bakers. Chelsea, our most difficult of all London adversaries is one such fixture. This game started far better than we could have expected, given that we had only won 1 game from our last five. However Pires seems determined to win over the Highbury crowd and he did so for the first half anyway with aplomb. Playing down the left flank he bobbed and weaved around the likes of Wise and Dalla Bona with ease before curling a great left-footed shot around the helpless Cudicini from just inside the area. He doesnt seem to score any simple tap-ins.

Henrys twists, turns and drag-backs bedazzled Chelseas back five (and four) but unfortunately just couldnt get the break he deserved in front of goal. But with Wiltord and Ljungberg playing excellently throughout the game things looked promising. Alas, this is another tale of what might have been and questions about Arsenals resilience will once again be asked. The absence of Adams (injured) seems to make it doubly difficult for us to cope with a determined fight-back. But unfortunately no one of his calibre seems to be coming (or being let) through the ranks to replace him. And if anyone is still unsure of the fundamental importance of a player like Adams, just look at the old mans record this year alone. Adams has played 14 games in the Premiership and we have won 9 of them. Arsenal have played 23 premiership games so far this season and have incredibly only won 2 games without him. We need someone else (other than Adams) that can lift the side when things arent going well - and Wenger doesnt seem to be developing anyone to do this. Leeds are developing Woodgate and Ferdi-Grand, Villa have Barry, Sp**s have Campbell, Man Utd have Wes Brown; but Arsenal, the pinnacle of central defensive excellence, have failed to develop our options.

The parallels between Chelsea and our own plight this season are very clear: For example, the perennial question mark over Chelseas lack of team spirit due to its Foreign Legion seems to be spreading its shadow across to Highbury as pundits seem to be of the opinion that Arsenal have failed to balance its Foreign versus English contingent as well. Arsenal played just four English players compared to Chelseas three on Saturday, which speaks for itself. Henry Winter at the Telegraph, claimed that: Wenger's dressing-room resembles a Tower of Babel: the 14 players he used at Charlton Athletic hailed from 10 different countries...but Wenger has to address the imbalance and find some local lads who, in terrace parlance, would "die for the Arsenal. John Terry, who may well become Chelseas answer to Tony Adams, looked as if he would do just that die for the club! The scorer of Chelseas well-deserved headed equaliser, is a prime example of what commitment sometimes over flair and skill - can do for a team: Playing alongside LeBoeuf - a vastly more experienced and skilled player - Terry showed the importance grit and determination in the face of adversity. Terry, in fact, saved LeBouefs blushes time and again, and consequently bought Chelsea enough time to regroup and get something out of the game in the second half.

The increasing uncertainty about how long Wenger will want to stay in the role as Arsenal coach is already creating problems for the team and will manifest itself greatly in the next season if (and when) he leaves. Unlike Manchester Untied, and Liverpool in their heyday, neither Chelsea or Arsenal, have a long-term management team and that makes it difficult to plan for the future, work on succession planning etc. Wenger seems to be aware but unable redress our current imbalances. And whilst he is a great coach, if he is not committed to the club in the longer-term he will only be looking for short-term solutions this will surely reduce any hope we have of mounting a serious challenge to the Champions League or Premiership titles on a regular basis. In our last encounter Chelsea were lucky to get away with a draw at Stamford Bridge despite a great start from Hasselbaink and an undeserved 2-goal lead. Chelsea crumbled, much the same as we did against Sunderland, amidst growing pressure. This time the tables were turned on Saturday, and after another commanding performance in the first half we succumbed to a modestly re-invigorated Chelsea team that should have been brushed aside regardless. And in the end we did well, thanks to some good stops by Seaman, to get a point.

The answers to our problems are clear: We need determined and talented players to be supported by a world-class stadium and committed management team; unfortunately we only have two out of three at the moment. A short-term management team is hardly incentivised to plan for the future and Saturdays display may well be a sign of things to come.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Stepanovs, Keown, Silvinho, Pires, Vieira, Ljungberg (Vivas 87), Parlour, Wiltord, and Henry.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Leboeuf (Ferrer 46), Desailly, Harley, Terry, Poyet, Wise, Dalla Bona, Jokanovic (Gronkjaer 46), Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen (Zola 77).