What Next For Fallible Arsenal?

…And so it ends.

Defeat at the Riverside on Sunday concluded Arsenal’s excellent start to the season, and the optimistic hopes of some supporters that the team would repeat the unbeaten achievements of the 2003/4 "Invincibles." Now only one point ahead of second-place Manchester United, the debate has intensified about if—and how—the Gunners can stay atop of the Premiership.

The ability of Arsenal’s squad to cope with the demands of the long season has been brought into question by the recent disappointing results against Sevilla, Newcastle, and Middlesbrough. Particularly damaging have been the injuries to Hleb, Fabregas, and Van Persie, leaving the team bereft of creative quality.

The upcoming African Cup of Nations is a cause for further concern, as it will leave Arsenal without key players Emmanuel Eboué and Kolo Touré for several weeks as they compete for Côte d’Ivoire. With the hectic holiday fixture period impending, these problems have caused some pundits to predict a Christmas collapse for the league leaders—but approaching the halfway stage, fans of the Arsenal have reason to be merry.

Along with the Christmas and New Year fixtures comes the January transfer window. Regardless of any moves that Arsenal’s title rivals may make, it is unlikely that the notoriously spendthrift Wenger will splash out, having continually restated his belief in the ability of his current squad.

Rumours have however linked some of the fringe members of the squad with moves away from the Emirates, with Abou Diaby, Denilson, and Armand Traoré supposedly wanted by Spurs, and Nicklas Bendtner by Chelsea. If Arsenal seriously hope to maintain their challenges in both the Premiership and Champions League, it is imperative that neither they, nor any other players, are allowed to leave the club during the transfer window. Though some players have grumbled their dissatisfaction at their lack of playing time, it would be unwise to offload anyone who could be drafted into the side in the event of further enforced absences.

While the team coped admirably in defence throughout captain William Gallas’ injury earlier in the season, it was largely despite, rather than thanks to, his stand-in, Philippe Senderos. With the arguable exception of Gilberto, the Swiss centre-back has been the one player to have come into the side this season as a replacement and not acquitted himself with distinction. His poor decision making and lack of pace inspires fear in the hearts of every Arsenal supporter, when Senderos has an opposition striker bearing down on him; simply put, the youngster’s recent form should preclude an extended run of the first team in the absence of Kolo Touré.

Instead, Wenger should recall Johan Djourou, whose loan deal at Birmingham City expires in January. Last season, Djourou’s performances in the first team at centre-back were far more assured than those of his Swiss national teammate, and it would be a wise move to have him available during Touré's absence and later in the season.

As Arsenal have found to their detriment in recent seasons, a great team will not be successful if backed by a thin squad.

Before the beginning of the season, commentators, "experts," and opposition fans were quick to belittle Arsenal’s chances, some even going so far as to predict that the team would lose their Champions League position to a supposedly up-and-coming Tottenham side. Although few regulars at the Emirates Stadium believed that prophecy, a similarly small number would have foreseen such an excellent start to the season, with the team at last combining its trademark beautiful football with consistency, efficiency, and good results.

Pre-season, every Gunners lover would have gladly taken Arsenal’s current 37 point total after 16 games—only one point fewer than at the same stage in the "Invincible" season. The recent blips are no more reason for panicking amongst fans than they are cause for panic-buying by the manager.

For Gooners, as always, the words to remember must be: In Arsene We Trust.