Arsenal's Disaster At St. James Park: What Is Arsene Wengers Squad Missing?

After a Saturday afternoon to forget for all Arsenal players and fans, how will the disaster from St. James Park affect Arsene Wenger's squad? Going off of history, everything points to the wheels slowly falling off of the Arsenal bus and continuing the trophy-less drought for the Gunners.

Or maybe...just maybe...we're seeing something a little different from the Arsenal squad this year that we haven't seen in years past ?

There are many different reasons as to why the Gunners have been inconsistent in games this season, looking vulnerable in the back during. From the losses at home against Newcastle, Wigan and Tottenham to the complete debacle against Newcastle, costly defense and a lack of leadership have put a stranglehold on the club.

One of the positives that we normally never see is Arsenal's away form. In 13 away matches, Arsenal has seven wins, four draws and two losses. They have 27 goals scored and 15 goals against. Not only do they have the most away goals scored this season, but they also have the best away record in the EPL.

As any Arsenal fan knows, Mr. Wenger was not going to make a splash during the January transfer market.

However, with the team currently sitting in 2nd place of the EPL, playing in the final of the Carling Cup, facing Orient in the FA Cup and playing a two leg elimination with Barcelona, one would think Wenger would get reinforcements.

Instead, he decided to stick to his guns...even if they haven't performed up to par.

The problems start on the back line, where the team uses Squillaci, Koscielny & Djourou at the center back position. It's safe to say that Squillaci is not the player Wenger's team needs. His lack of aggressiveness, speed and positioning rattles his teammates in the back four.

Getting Vermaelen back would really be a big boost for that back line.

It's clear that Arsenal's more complete pieces are in their midfield and attack. Having the likes of Nasri's unbelievable form helps and with Robin Van Persie finally back in the team and scoring goals, it appears that Arsenal can really make an honest push for this title.

If Arshavin could come out of his funk, he would be a big lift for a midfield that lacks serious options from the bench. Rosicky just isn't the same player he was before his injury and he has displayed this numerous times.

Denilson...well what can you say about him? He just doesn't appear to be a high enough caliber player for this Arsenal team.

Eboue has his days, but he seems to have more bad days than good days.  

Leadership is a key factor that the Gunners lack. No better example of this was this past weekends game at St. James' Park.

After Diaby was sent off, Fabregas should have stepped up and rallied the troops.

But after Joey Barton made it 1-4 on the score sheet, followed by Best to make it 2-4, the game had noticeably been flipped upside down. At this point, Arsenal's back line had no idea what to do with themselves. They had completely lost their shape and  were unable to find any rhythm for the remainder of the game.

Still, Fabregas was not once seen telling his teammates to pick up their heads and get on with the game. 

A team that completely tore the Magpies apart in the first 30 minutes was now at their mercy after being up 0-4. Wenger's options on the bench were minimal, as they have been all season.

With no Alex Song to close down the midfield and down to 10 men, everything was in Newcastle's favor to make a historic comeback.

In the end, Arsenal crumbled and the match finished 4-4. Although they took a point from this match, it should be looked at as a big loss for Arsenal. 

Putting that game aside, Arsenal has shown some fight that has been rare in the past few years. The match against Everton was an example of this.

Despite going down 0-1 at home on a controversial call, they were able to dig in and managed a 2-1 victory in an important match.

Their important victory against Chelsea at home was  another boost for the team.

Having a title contending, Manchester City, come into the Emirates and play an all-out defensive match is another positive sign; a sign that with all the options and fire power Mancini has on his team, he clearly feared Arsenal's ability of getting forward.

When playing correctly and at full health, Arsenal has been known to be one of the most attractive soccer playing teams in Europe.

Now, they need to decide at what level do they show off this attractive soccer.

Champions are not only made from beautiful, free-flowing soccer. Champions need to be able to dig  deep in many games throughout the year and pull out a good result. They need to be able to have a bad game and still manage to have the composure to grind out points and victories.

Arsenal have done a decent job at that this year, with a few slip ups here and there. At the end, though, it could once again cost them a title.

In the end, it is true that Arsenal not only needs Vermaelen to be completely healthy, but they also need  two more solid options for their already strong midfield.

One could also argue that they could use one more striker because Bendtner is too inconsistent.

It will be interesting to see if Arsene Wenger is able to pick up the teams confidence and have them come out and prove a point this weekend against a talented Wolves team. The same Wolves team that just ended Man. Utd's invincible season.