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When he’s unfit this game is rendered ineffective. He’ll be tackled or fouled cheaply by the first man, or the defence will have time to get organised and close off the space. Because he’s off-rhythm he won’t time his distribution properly. Adjusting to the extra pressure of facing a defensive line that can see him coming, his passing in behind is wayward. Then, apparently mindful of his performance, he overcompensates and ends up trying to force opportunities that aren’t there. It all adds up to more cul-de-sacs and possession lost.

When he joined the club, he was greeted as a saviour as he was the replacement to the fish and chip addict that is Andre Santos, and had a more than solid start to his career here. However over time I've seen people slate him more and more to the point where some see him as a joke of a player. Which simply isn't true. In my opinion I don't think there is much difference between him and Gibbs(I'm looking forward to people angrily reacting to that sentence). I feel that Gibbs's dribbling ability and pace make him appear a better player, and yes he is a better one-on-one tackler. However Monreal has his own

in this case they seem to even be better than the players they replaced. Debuchy good going forward and very good with crosses and has surprisingly put in a good shift in the defensive side of his game. I consider him an upgrade on Sagna. Calum Chambers has clearly been a revelation at centre back. He has shown that he is ready to cut it with the best in the big stage so he is a good replacement for Vermaelen. Ospina, from the little I saw of him in the world cup, is a brilliant buy who can give Chezzer an effective competition

 His defensive instincts are very solid, particularly for someone who plays in an attacking position and I think this has sometimes had a detrimental effect because it has encouraged managers to use him in a wide role with a defensive remit, which is something he can do well but doesn't really show him at his best. He also has a superb attitude and work ethic, which makes me think he will thrive under a development-minded manager like Wenger.

The striking thing about this deal is that it effectively kills Yaya Sanogo as Arsène Wenger would say. Sanogo is two years younger than Welbeck but Arsène Wenger isn't going to pay £16m to put the player behind Sanogo. Arsène has been very vocal in his praise for Sanogo, he said we would see what a player Sanogo would be but those comments changed during Arsène's last press conference, telling everyone that the lack of goals were playing on his strikers mind. It looks as if Yaya will be pulled away from the firing line and will have to work hard to get back into the fold especially with Theo on his way back.

I think it has more to do with our play in the final third. We’re not short on supply. It is our end product that is missing. We lack a poacher. That said, top quality strikers are a scarce commodity in today’s world and unless we can afford a Falcao or a Cavani, I see no reason to shell out money on a 2nd class striker just for the sake of adding to our numbers. Today’s result, however poor it might have been, was an

Arsene has sprung somewhat of a surprise with his line up to face Leicester City this afternoon. Yaya Sanogo has come back into his team moving Alexis Sanchez to the right of attack. I assume that Mesut Özil will continue wide left and Santi Cazorla keeps his place after his battling display midweek meaning that Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been rested/dropped to the bench.

With the return of Aaron Ramsey and Arsene's choice to have Wilshere and Aaron either side of a more defensive midfielder it will be interesting to see what Arsene does with Santi Cazorla who was fantastic against Besiktas on Wednesday. Mesut Özil will be wide left and the Ox on the right gives

With Giroud unlikely to return for a while it is down, to Alexis and Sanogo to fill the void. Alexis is not naturally a centre forward and has spent most of his career playing behind them as a 10 or out wide. However as has been discussed at length he could be turned into one; this however will take time as it means that not only does he, and his team mates have to get used to each other to create the, almost telepathic understanding needed with Wenger’s Arsenal, he needs to adapt to a new position and the different challenges it poses. Whilst it is true that the idea of a fixed centre forward, and thus the fixed idea of the skills they must have, is an anachronism it does pose different challenges to a player such as holding the ball up for team mates and providing more runs into the box.

Speaking of playing without the ball. How good was Santi Cazorla in that second half? Who needs a big beast of a 'DM' when you have little Santi scampering around throwing his body in between the opposition and the ball as he did so often last night. I thought he worked tirelessly for he team and it was infectious. I'd love him to find the form of his first season at Arsenal, a joy to watch when on