Arsenal dip could prove very costly

Arsenal entered the week 6 points clear of Manchester United with a game in hand. But a draw away at Newcastle and a loss over the weekend to Middlesbrough has seen the Gunners slip and widdle a lead going into the all important December schedule to just a single point.

It was their moment to consolidate their points and considering Arsenal must face Chelsea next, and it could quickly become the stretch of the season in which Arsenal lost the title race.

It might not be fair to look at his small stretch and extrapolate the end of a title race, but every lead is squandered somewhere, and this could easily become that moment. Arsenal’s 15-game unbeaten run has now ended and it shouldn't’t have happened to a relegation threatened Middlesbrough.

Last year Chelsea had a bad run when Peter Cech and John Terry were injured and could never recover from it. That didn’t happen in April.

Arsenal's team bus becoming lost on its way to the Riverside Stadium is certainly symbolic of the 5 points that were dropped. Credit to Newcastle: scrappy and determined in their draw, and Boro, who defended resolutely and took their chances. Both teams had managers under pressure for a result and it couldn’t have come from a better place for them.

Arsenal are really missing Cesc Fabregas. He’s scored goals all season from central midfield and has been responsible for some critical passes. Robin van Persie is desperately needed, but annoyingly he always seems to be injured. Newcomer Eduardo Da Silva is still waiting for his first Premiership goal. On Sunday he was substituted at half time, a sign of Arsene Wenger’s growing impatience.