There is a theory getting wide play right now that part of the problem is that our full backs push forward. We know this was an issue last season for example

I insist I always know when Arsenal are at risk of conceding a goal. In most cases it follows either of both of two sequences; 1) we can’t string passes together in the middle third. Or, 2) we suddenly cannot clear our lines.

I say suddenly because most time we do not have a problem with this. But there are times when some dope or something gets sniffed in the air, and the boys make hard work of the easiest task in football.

To be fair, it’s not really that easy. For such a constructive team, it’s not enough to clear the ball. Even the defensive actions have to be constructive so a clearance has to go to the general direction of a team mate. Row Z is not a friend to creativity. Do not get me wrong. Sometimes, that’s the best option. Especially in the 94th minute of the Champions League Final while defending a fluke goal we nicked off the opposing keeper’s arse.

Permit me to give two examples to frame my point. The first refers to the fifth goal we scored against Blackburn on Sunday in our 6-2 win. We win a header, the ball comes to Cesc, who finding the space plays an exquisite pass to Arshavin who is stationed out wide about a third the length of the pitch. He runs brilliantly for about 55 yards, cuts in, profits from Van Persie’s run from in to out, and lays back for Cesc who makes the perfect most sublime touch into Theo’s pass who take a fantastic shot into the bottom left corner of Paul Robinson’s goal. That goal got everybody excited, and everyone said that’s what Arsenal are about.

The second example is not what we want Arsenal to be about. It’s the game against Manchester City. We had played well and had equalised. At 1-1, it was obvious we were the better side and our second goal looked inevitable. We found ourselves 2-1 down within a short time of Van Persie’s equalising goal. Even then, we had a chance to win the game.

We had a set piece to defend. Money City had pushed men forward. We got an Arsenal head to the first ball. We then proceeded to make 7 other attempts to clear the ball. It was ridiculous.

It ended with us intercepting a Petrov pass. With at least 8 yards of space, and 2 Arsenal players, our defender hurried a pass upfield. The pass was intercepted, Clichy rushes into the challenge, and stops playing having seen the referee flag a foul. Unfortunately for him, the referee standing behind him had signalled for play to go on. Sean Wright Philips who before then had seen little joy in the game, suddenly had all the time in the world to pick out their long-legged Number 25.

In those 8 or so attempts, what was needed was for someone to calm the f@°# down and clear the damn ball properly.

There is a theory getting wide play right now that part of the problem is that our full backs push forward. We know this was an issue last season for example. We were shipping goals more prolifically than a goalpost manufacturer.

Wenger asked Sagna and Clichy to curb their offensive instincts, and since then it has usually been the case that only one of them gets involved in the attack per game. So you will find that in most games, one of Sagna or Clichy is more involved in the offensive part of the game than the other.

Lee Dixon’s column on the BBC website highlighted that Blackburn’s second goal came when both Clichy and Sagna were both “caught” upfield as Diouf hoofed the ball upfield.

It left Arsenal with 3 men against Blackburn’s 3 men and Lee says this led to the goal. I have to disagree with the great man.

Watch any team that pushes up the field attacking from a corner for example. You would usually find they have just a few players staying behind in their own half. If the defending team manages to break, especially from a hoofed ball that fortuitously finds an attacker 60 yards upfield, any team whatsoever will have just a few players back. Unless Lee thinks Arsenal should have 4 players permanently stationed in our own half, it was not a problem with the full backs.

We had 3 men against their 3 men, and I say we defended it well and they got a lucky deflection to get the goal. That does not amount to a systemic problem or a trend.

The systemic problem is not clearing the ball. This one goes back even into last season. Think of the Anfield game where I-am-gooner pegged back Liverpool. Think of the first leg of that semi final against Manchester United. Think back to the goal conceded against Roma in Rome.

It’s a recurring thing and I think half of it is mental.

Orbinho, one of the guys I follow on Twitter has a very interesting stat. He says this is our worst defensive start in the Premier League since the 91/92 seasons. The 10 goals we have conceded in the last 7 games is the most we have conceded since 91/92 when we conceded 12.

It is not a very heartening stat. We simply have to be tighter at the back and concede fewer goals. It is completely unacceptable that we more or less lost the 2 crucial games in Manchester because we gave goals away. It is very disappointing that not more than 3 or 4 of the goals we have conceded really came from our defence being breached i.e from a decent attacking move. I know this team can concede fewer goals. It is not a personnel problem. It is not because Vermaelen and Gallas are both 6 ft tall.

I am at the same time not too worried. Luckily, our rivals are all shipping goals as well. Manchester United have conceded 9 goals. Liverpool have conceded 12. Only Chelsea are doing better, but even they have conceded 6 goals.

We just ended a run of 4 successive clean sheets. We can keep clean sheets. We still, nevertheless, have to stop conceding stupid goals.