What now?

It's a reasonable question isn't it?

Heavy defeats to two of our supposed rivals, and save for Arshavin's brilliant performance and uncharacteristic errors by the Liverpool defence, it could have been worse. We all knew that the key games, starting with the FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea, would define our season. Our season has well and truly been defined.

In a way, the home defeat against Chelsea epitomises this Arsenal team, and I think of all the defeats, hurts the most. This may be surprising because it is the game that had the least riding on it, but the signs in that game are the most worrying. This was Arsenal in a nutshell. Started well, looked exciting, seemed to have Chelsea worried, created chances, but ultimately lacked the class that was glaringly present in two of Chelsea's goals. I want to make a small comment on Bendtner. Often criticised, and I am the first to admit that I am not his biggest fan, but he came on against Chelsea and I have to give him credit. We were down and out and he never stopped running. He took the game to Chelsea and did what none of our players managed, he intimidated Chelsea physically. He scored a great goal, muscling out Essien no less to head home. He was the only silver lining in a very black cloud.

That aside, Chelsea were ruthless. They didn't deserve the margin of victory and you could argue that on the balance of play, they didn't even deserve a victory, but win they did. They won because when it mattered, they possessed the composure and clinical finishing that was needed. Chelsea were everything Arsenal weren't. Efficient and solid without being spectacular.

Where do Arsenal go from here? Some people are talking about a total overhaul, we are already being linked with players left right and centre. Predictably, pundits are arguing that Arsenal need a centreback and a defensive midfielder.

I would argue, as I have already on this blog, that Arsenal need certain characters. Someone needs to be on the pitch who will kick the players who aren't performing up the behind. Someone is needed who will lead by example, show fighting spirit and intimidate the opposition, not by skill necessarily, but by strength of will. In short, Arsenal desperately need a leader.

Many of the Arsenal players are fantastic on their day, the problem is that they are confidence players. I often hear Arsene Wenger talk about not halting the development of the youngsters by making too many signings. Well, that makes no sense to me. Firstly, what gives the youngsters the divine right to play for one of the four biggest clubs in the Premiership? If our midfield was being patrolled by world class players I would understand that arguement. But I don't see why Diaby, Denilson and Song should have their development protected? They aren't exactly setting the Premiership alight, in fact, some healthy competition is likely to improve them. Not to mention the fact that an experienced midfielder might actually teach the youngsters a thing or to.

Don't get me wrong, I think Diaby has great potential, the problem is that he is never played in the same position twice, and has no role model at the club, that can't be good for his development.

Adebayor is another enigma. Wenger has to find some way to get him in the mood because he has enormous potential but the wrong attitude. Last year he was hungry, this year he is bloated. I have faith in him to develop into a top class centre forward, the question is whether he would do this at Arsenal. You can bet that Rafa Benitez or Alex Ferguson would not accept his attitude to the game.

So, where do we go from here. I would urge Arsenal as I have already said to buy leaders. Arsenal lack a spine and that's exactly what they need. The loss of Gallas, arguably our best player this season, was deeply felt, a physical imposing centreback surely is a priority. The talented young midfielders desperately need to be led, as much as the back four desperately need some protection. As others have said, a physical, intimidating midfielder is required, and as Fletcher demonstrated, he doesn't have to be supertalented, or a perfect technician, but I worry that Wenger won't see it that way.

So that brings us to the manager. Many so-called Arsenal fans have laid the blame squarely at his feet and insisted he leave. We don't know many things about the last few years. We don't know how much he really has had to spend, and I wonder where the club would be if he wasn't manager. He isn't stupid, he probably invests too much faith in his young players, but he believes that in this day of financially driven transfers the way to keep players leaving for the money is to groom them early to fall in love with the club.

I think we need to find a happy medium. There are some exciting young players at Arsenal, not as many though as we think. I would question how many of them will be top class. That aside, young players need guidance on as well as off the pitch, so if Wenger really believes in them then he should bring in some old heads to steady the ship, show the youngsters the ropes, and in a few years those youngsters might replace their masters. You never know, Arsenal might just win some trophies along the way.....