Arsenal are now playing catch up to a better side. If they can turn on the style, and hand out a few thrashings, then that won’t last long

Admittedly, only goal difference separates Arsenal and Manchester United, but crucially United are the better side. They concede fewer goals. And they score as many. They know what it takes to put together a 90 point season. Arsenal look capable of that this year, but they haven’t proved they can do it yet. As Alan Hansen said at the weekend, Man Utd are still better than Arsenal at winning when they aren’t playing well.

What is also worrying is that Chelsea are now only 4 points behind, despite the fact that they’ve had to cope with all manner of problems, both on and off the field this season. They seem to be getting stronger.

Having cheaply surrendered the lead, Arsenal are now playing catch up to a better side. If they can turn on the style, and hand out a few thrashings, then that won’t last long. But I disagree with Myles Palmer that Arsenal have to “recover their style” at Fulham.

Of course doing so would help. But it’s a dangerous game to aim to play; you should never think about the third goal until the second has been scored. You should never think about the second ‘til the first has gone in. Perhaps that’s what the players did on Saturday.

Arsenal need to start grinding out results again, especially away from home. As they did against Fulham on the opening day. As they did at West Ham and Reading.

The first 10 league games brought 8 wins and 2 draws; 26 points. The past 12 have brought 7 wins, 4 draws and a defeat; 25 points, and plainly not title-winning form.

Unless Cristiano Ronaldo gets injured Man Utd are not going to drop many points. Very few teams are capable of holding them. Chelsea will cause them problems at Stamford Bridge; and occasionally they’ll drop unexpected points away from home.

Arsenal not only need to up their game again; they will most probably need a repeat of last season’s win at Old Trafford, if they are going to win the league.