Shocking, sickening, substandard and spiritless, Arsenal were destroyed by an army of S’ at the Anfield battlefield on Saturday afternoon. Not even Arsenal’s biggest pessimists would have predicted the riot that occurred in Liverpool by Skrtel, Sterling and Sturridge in the key top-four clash of the weekend.

What happened?

The first half performance by the Gunners was lacklustre and uncharacteristic, the players barely able to put a pass together in the first 30 minutes. Not since the 8-2 Manchester United loss has a game looked so beyond a team’s reach - as Patrice Evra would claim, it was “Men against boys.”

Despite a lively second-half performance by Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta’s cool consolation penalty, the lack of a result has led to the Gunners being one point off the top after the week’s fixtures. While not a total disaster, it gives the fans, Wenger and the players themselves a chance to look in the mirror and decide what’s next.

The big picture?

With a run including Liverpool again, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, it’s that time of the year that could make or break the season. If Arsenal continue to pick up points against the “smaller” teams in the league, the title could come their way. However, their inability to stamp their mark or even get close to rattling the top teams as seen yesterday, completely justifies pundits bets on why they are unlikely to win the league.

What needs to change?

A bad side doesn’t stay top of the league and gain worldwide plaudits until February in their campaign. The 5-1 demolition to Liverpool can act as a wakeup call, much like the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City two months ago. Added to that, the manager must do all he can to make Kieran Gibbs fit to play for the rest of the season, Nacho Monreal’s inept defending and communication clearly having an effect on the back line ‘a-la-andre-santos.’

Olivier Giroud has proved once again that he is not a big game player and although bold, a real finished in Lukas Podolski must be utilised in order for the Gunners to take the league by storm yet again. If on form, the German forward may be able to motivate his £42.5 million compatriot Mesut Özil to become the hero of the season, not another Arshavin.

Onwards and upwards

In the last 16 of both the Champions League and FA Cup and still firmly in the title race, Wenger’s words of “it’s not all doom and gloom,” must echo in the minds of every supporter. I believe, you believe, we believe, Wenger believes.

Now it’s time for the players to believe and make Arsenal Football Club proud.

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