Arsenal's season continues its sad slide towards oblivion. Barring a miracle in Munich on March 13, Arsenal have only fourth in the Premier League to contest and even that will be an almighty scrap. An eighth season without a trophy lurches towards a painful end. Everybody is looking at Arsène Wenger now.

Once all-powerful, Wenger now seems overwhelmed by the scale of the task of stopping Arsenal’s demise. Wenger’s decision to rest players in the FA Cup against Blackburn Rovers looks even more misguided now. Even a sniff of silver polish has been blown away in four days. His judgment, once so sound, is now so suspect.

As well as making a huge decision on Wenger, the board have to react in the summer and recruit players of genuine class as well. Having lost Robin van Persie, who realised that trophies were unlikely at the Emirates, the board bought in Olivier Giroud, who was not even deemed good enough to start against Bayern. Giroud may prosper but too much money has been spent on average players.

There is much right about Arsenal from the quality of stadium and training ground, the strength of the support, some commercial deals that will generate vast sums, and the presence of a gem like Wilshere but there is too much wrong. The defense was a shambles here, urgently requiring better organization.

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