Firstly too many changes were made to the team from the weekend. I have said many times, we need our players to have a run of games together to build continuity. Our game is based on continuity more

Before writing my thoughts on an Arsenal performance, I usually try and watch the game at least twice, perhaps once and then extended highlights. You do not realise how much you actually miss during the first time of watching a game with all the nerves and anticipation.

For the first time in a long, long time I have gone two games on the stretch only watching the game live. For obvious reasons I could not bring myself to sit through the North London derby, not even our fantastic first half because the end result is still too painful.

Last night was a different story, I am not sitting through that again because so much of it was just dull and depressing. We played without any spark, imagination or flair and it looked as if a goal was nowhere in sight.

For this reason I shall keep this down to a minimum. No need to write a match review as such, let us just skip straight to the conclusion.

Firstly too many changes were made to the team from the weekend. I have said many times, we need our players to have a run of games together to build continuity. Our game is based on continuity more than many teams. Three changes to our defence from the weekend. One change from our midfield and a further three changes to our attacking front line.

The team were starting again from scratch.

I am not at all blaming Arsene Wenger for these changes, because I believe that these changes were necessary. These were not Rafa Benitez changes for the sake of changes. The timeframe from Everton away until Sunday against Aston Villa is only two weeks. During that time the players would have been asked to play three Premier League games, one International friendly and a Champions League match. It would have been too much to play our full team in all of those games.

The changes were important but even without continuity and momentum, Wenger would have expected his team to have had enough to beat Braga. A team that were destroyed 6-0 earlier in the season.

Too many players were below the required level. Too many players have been through a stop-start period in their season. Wilshere who missed Saturday played his worst game of the season, losing possession more in this game than he probably has since the start of the season.

Cesc looked as if he had the handbrakes on, he looked as if he was restricted until he stretched for one Wilshere long pass and his hamstring went yet again. We were beginning to see the real Cesc Fabregas during the first 45 minutes on Saturday and now he is back on the sidelines and when he returns we will have to wait for him to find his stride again. A massive blow.

I thought that Theo Walcott hugged the touchline too much, especially when he had Emmanuel Eboue behind him. We only caught glimpses of his off the ball movement. Theo was caught on the ball too many times and looked like he is missing match sharpness. At the same time he looked our most dynamic player and the only player who looked like he could score or create a goal.

Nicklas Bendtner who had been claiming that he is in the shape and form of his life was way off the pace in attack. He was disappointing in his last start for us away to Shakhtar in the same competition and equally last night. His touch was not good enough and he looked immobile. You can now understand why Arsene has told him to be patient and that he needs to improve his condition on the training ground before he can think of being a number one striker.

Chamakh made a massive difference when he replaced Bendtner. It was only then, did we look dangerous and threatening. Chamakh may not be able to win games on his own. He may not be able to beat and man and then smash it into the top corner like Bendtner on form can but he makes others play and his introduction started to make Arsenal play.

Carlos Vela came on and was denied the clearest of penalties. How clear does it have to be before one of 562 officials placed all over the bloody pitch could see it? Even if the fall was slightly exaggerated, does it mean it should not be given? Had it have been given and Nasri scored from the spot then it would have been a different game and we probably would have won the game but we did not do enough way before that incident. We did not create enough chances and were not sharp enough to win the game.

Arsene made three changes.

Nasri >> Cesc,
Chamakh >> Bendtner and
Vela >> Walcott.

So Braga gained an advantage by kicking our players all over the pitch. Eboue came off and could not be replaced. We were down to ten men due to terrible tackling from the opposition.

Even with this in mind, we should not be beaten by long balls so easily. We started the season well in this regard. Koscielny, Djourou and Squillaci have all by the most part done well defensively. But in recent games our old habits are creeping back. We were undone by a ball over the top on Saturday and again yesterday with a more direct ball through the middle of our defence.

Then with our players pushing forward trying to get something out of the game we were undone down the side where Eboue would have been placed.

It now means top spot is very difficult and out of our hands. Braga have a chance of going through if we do not put things right against Partizan Belgrade at home in the last game. We have to forget about that game for now.

The most important thing now is to stop the rot and make sure we do not continue to lose on Sunday. We go to Aston Villa without Cesc Fabregas and a good performance is vital now.

Fabianski (6)
Eboue (5.5)
Djourou (6)
Squillaci (6)
Gibbs (6)
Denilson (6)
Wilshere (5.5)
Cesc (6)
Walcott (6)
Bendtner (4.5)
Rosicky (6)

Please note that ratings are only my interpretations of the game and that others will have differing opinions