“We had a very disappointing week. Considering the performances we produced and the end result that we got, it’s very disappointing.”

This was Arsene Wenger’s assessment during his post-match interview after a dismal 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Sunday. For Arsenal fans, it’s a case of different season, same story.

For the second time in a week – and the sixth time this season – Arsenal saw a lead slip away. Wenger’s excuses are becoming more ridiculous by the fixture, the last was just the tip of the iceberg.

The humiliating 2-1 defeat in South Wales was the Gunners’ second this season in the Premier League, which is not bad on paper. But five times now, points have been dropped against teams who are supposed to represent a walk in the park for a club of Arsenal’s stature.

There are, of course, positives to be taken. Alexis Sanchez has been lighting up the Premier League; a total 12 goals in 18 matches is a dream debut season for any player.  The issue is that it looks like the entire team has become overly reliant on him.

The Chilean combined with Danny Welbeck at Swansea to finish off an incisive counterattack, which seemed to have revitalised Arsenal after a turgid first half and put them on course to regain a top-four spot.

It could have been a sweet victory after Manchester City’s draw against Queens Park Rangers, and Tottenham’s loss earlier. But the goal was too good to be true.

Swansea levelled through a spectacular Gylfi Sigurdsson free kick and Bafetimbi Gomis beat Nacho Monreal (yes, him again) to nod home a second for a crucial victory for the Welsh outfit, dropping Arsenal down to sixth place.

Defensive frailties and injuries have always been an issue for us in recent seasons and nothing has been done. Wenger let go of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, leaving him with only two senior central defenders in Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. No back-up defender was signed during the summer transfer market despite it being a position that should have been given the highest priority.

Earlier this week, ex-Gunner Paul Merson slammed Arsenal’s defence – calling his old team “tactically clueless” after seeing them throw away a three-goal lead against Anderlecht. And he is right.

Wenger’s stubbornness in rotating the squad and refusal to change his outdated tactics is costing Arsenal dearly. He needs to wake up and realise that times are a-changing.

Arsenal face a somewhat in-form Manchester United at home next. It has been a while since we’ve beaten United and the players need to pull the socks up and redeem themselves with a win, especially in front of the home crowd.

The Arsenal UAE Supporters currently watch their games at the Grandeur Hotel in Al Barsha. To become a member please send an email to info@arsenaluae.com