Wenger's Dismissal of Gallas and Campbell Will Ruin Arsenal's Title Chances

As Arsenal showed impressive determination and fight to claw back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against a doughty West Bromwich Albion side, it was once again miscommunication and errors from the defence and goalkeeper that resulted in the Gunners dropping vital points as the race for EPL glory intensifies.

Arsene Wenger's men are now five points behind leaders Manchester United and although the North London giants boast a game in hand, it will take a big effort and in reality Sir Alex Ferguson's men will have to drop points for Arsenal to succeed.

The performance capped off a horrific three weeks for Gunners in which Wenger's men lost the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham City and saw elimination from the UEFA Champions League round of 16 and the FA Cup quarterfinal thanks to Barcelona and Manchester United.

To add salt to the gaping wound of Arsenal, Wenger lost key figures during their rapid demise with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny suffering a dislocated finger and tendon damage whilst central defender Johan Djourou sustained a dislocated shoulder prematurely ending the Swiss international's season. This was arguably a huge and season-defying blow as Djourou had been Arsenal's best defender whilst Wenger had already lost, for the season, defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen in August.

Those injuries were the catalyst in Arsenal's lethargic performance at the Hawthorns. Szczesny joined predominant first choice keeper Lukaz Fabianski on the treatment, whose season ended in January courtesy of a severe shoulder injury.

The unfortunate casualties ensured the much maligned yet experienced Manuel Almunia was elevated to first choice keeper whilst Djourou's injury ensured Sebastien Squillaci entered the fray. The pair were influential in West Bromwich Albion's second and ultimately decisive goal.

The duo were caught in a tangle as a long ball saw Almunia charge off his line and into "no man's land" and then eventually into Squillacil. Nigerian striker Peter Odemwinge then had the simplest of long-range finishes.

As much as the finger needs to be pointed at Almunia, if any side's to be reduced to their fourth choice keeper, sheer bad luck and errors are almost certain to occur. But the role of Squillaci and his contribution throughout the season have come under concern.

The Frenchman was signed in the recent Summer from Spanish giants Seville for £3.2 million. The 30-year-old signature came off the back of a massive back line reshuffle by Wenger, who offloaded four central defenders in the Summer.

Sol Campbell, William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos were all shown the door to make way for Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny. Silvestre and Senderos were past their prime in an Arsenal shirt and their departures have left no bearing whatsoever at the Emirates. But it now appears that the dismissal of Gallas and Campbell will come back to hurt Arsenal.

Once again Wenger has been unfortunate with injuries to key defenders, but as the Frenchman was striving to break Arsenal's notorious five-year trophy drought, there quite frankly was never enough defensive depth to adequately challenge for the tougher competitions.

Two defenders who had yet to experience the English Premier League, the toughest league in World Football in Squillaci and Koscielny, and one defender who had spent every game bar the final EPL encounter the previous season nursing a serious injury in Johan Djourou, raises questions of Wenger's integrity and management.

It was no secret that William Gallas at times was a toxic presence in the Arsenal dressing room. The public altercations that the Frenchman and Samir Nasri endured highlights that Gallas can be at times not the friendliest teammate.

Yes, the former Chelsea defender did not enjoy the happiest times, but there was no denying that last season the 33-year-old was in sublime form and forged a stellar central defensive partnership with Thomas Vermaelen.

With Wenger refusing to offer Gallas more than a two-year contract in the summer, the French international joined Tottenham and the move has seen World Football witness a stronger, more composed William Gallas.

Sol Campbell, on the other hand, who surprised all when he returned to the Emirates in January last season, after a four-year absence to help bolster the central defensive stocks. Campbell's presence and leadership in the Arsenal squad, as well as some telling contributions, were a joy to watch for the Gunner's faithful and many expected Wenger to keep hold of the veteran Englishman.

But Wenger opted to decline on the invitation to resign Campbell and the English international joined Newcastle United. Campbell has not enforced his presence quite like Gallas has at White Hart Lane.

Whilst Gallas boast 26 appearances this term for Tottenham, Campbell has made just eight for the Magpies. However, it reflects badly on Wenger's behalf.

Had the Frenchman kept Gallas and Campbell it would have surely ensured Squillaci would have never arrived at the Emirates. With the acquisition of Koscielny, Arsenal centre half ranks would have had Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny and, of course, Gallas and Campbell.

Five centre halves may look compacted and effectively diminish potential experience for youngsters, but Arsenal endured a hectic schedule this season, particularly in recent months, and with Vermaelen's injury, the experience and leadership of either Gallas or Campbell would have been invaluable.

Unlike Squillaci, Gallas and Campbell have both played in the EPL, over 700 times combining the pair together, and both have tasted the sweet sensation of success. This experience is vital in a young Arsenal side which most of the players have not won competitions.

Gallas and Campbell's psychological force and mentality, and these crucial moments in the season would surely have steered Arsenal out of their rapid demise. However, what is done is done and one should not dwell on the past.

However, one cannot ponder whether Wenger's dismissal of Gallas and Campbell was in fact a mistake.