EPL 2012/13: Arsenal Are in Grave Danger of Missing out on Champions League

Arsenal are now in grave danger of losing out on a top four place for the first time in fifteen years, after a dull 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Arsene Wenger had to sit to witness his squad deliver the worst performance of this season, leaving them four points behind Chelsea, who play QPR tomorrow, and eight points behind rivals Spurs. This result brought the club right back down to earth after the Gunners smashed seven goals against Newcastle, and five past Reading. The media were quickly being made to look foolish for tearing into the Arsenal manager and the club after the shock cup defeat to Bradford.

But this defeat has left the manager frustrated and blames only the players,

"Our game lacked purpose, penetration and speed, all qualities we have usually," said Wenger on BBC Sport.

"I felt that we lacked purpose in our game and it was more mental than physical. Maybe we thought we had made enough progress and eased off but that doesn't work at this level."

The club are in trouble and they have a hefty round of fixtures coming up this month. Arsenal have to play Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, all very tough games. I would say that with the competition so tight to be in the Champions League, Arsenal would have to go unbeaten. Any games the Gunners lose will only count for nothing if Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton all drop points.

Arsene Wenger is also planning on making some transfers this season and for the first time he admits that he is looking to bolster all positions. Maybe the manager feels this current squad needs a huge injection of quality in order to be serious contenders for anything again.