They bring in a new fitness coach, embrace analytics in an attempt to modernise their scouting department and hint at enhanced ambition in the transfer market every summer. They no longer lose their best players to richer rivals. Every now and then, they produce a statement victory that suggests the grand project is approaching a golden conclusion and greatness beckons. But for all the little tweaks and fine-tuning, nothing much of any major significance changes at Arsenal.
Examining this pattern of underachievement, there is one constant. Easy though it is to point the finger of blame at the manager when a team fail to realise their potential, it is Arsène Wenger who sets the tone at Arsenal, Arsène Wenger whose word is law and Arsène Wenger who has overseen 13 years of flattering to deceive.
Arsenal had to leave Stamford Bridge with three points in order to revive their flatlining title hopes, but their pallid efforts were encapsulated by the howler from Petr Cech that presented Cesc Fàbregas with the opportunity to rub salt in his former club’s wounds by lobbing in Chelsea’s third goal.
Twelve points behind Chelsea with 14 games left, Arsenal have surely tripped up for the last time in this title race and there will be a sapping inevitability about watching them readjust for yet another fight for Champions League qualification.
Their talent has carried them over that line in the past and Wenger’s proud record of never finishing outside the top four has provided comfort during the barren years, allowing the loyal Wenger-ites to tell the critics to be careful what they wish for.
There was the slightest whiff of change in the air before the kick-off. It is said Wenger has started to feel unappreciated, causing him to wonder whether to sign a contract extension this summer, and he responded enigmatically to questions about his future on Friday.
Perhaps it is a negotiating ploy, a way for the Frenchman to remind mutineers to show more gratitude. The argument for keeping him is that he brings stability and calm. Just look at the mess United have made of trying to move on from Sir Alex Ferguson.
As the away end emptied out in the closing stages, the cameras picked out an Arsenal fan holding a sign saying “Enough is enough: time to go”. The measured response is to ignore the attention seeking and social media noise but the Wenger Out brigade have a point. This performance merely gave them more ammunition.
Arsenal had started promisingly enough on their least favourite ground. Wenger said his players were not “mentally ready” after Tuesday’s damaging home defeat against Watford, a damning accusation, and they looked determined to put things right. Chelsea were edgy at the back, cheaply conceding possession in dangerous areas, and Alex Iwobi shot just wide.
However Arsenal ultimately lacked conviction, alertness and decisiveness in the crucial moments. If you can possibly bring yourself to do so, ignore the controversy of Martin Atkinson allowing Marcos Alonso’s opener to stand –the Spaniard had a running jump on Héctor Bellerín, but left Arsenal’s right-back with a concussion after flattening him with flailing arms in the six-yard box – and concentrate on Theo Walcott watching his man run away from him on the edge of the area after Diego Costa’s header came back off the bar. As an individual error, Walcott let his team-mates down with his perfunctory attempt to stop Alonso, while his doziness symbolised Arsenal flaws as a collective. They were wasteful in front of goal and slack in defence.
Wenger, still serving his touchline ban, watched on helplessly from the stands and observed that the game was perfectly set up for Chelsea, a counterattacking team who sat deep and picked off Arsenal. Their key players, Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez, were quiet and there was a shortage of control and quality in central midfield, where injuries and suspensions meant Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain and Francis Coquelin formed an unconvincing partnership.
N’Golo Kanté and Nemanja Matic were predictably dominant for Chelsea and when Diego Costa’s flick found Hazard 10 minutes after half-time, the winger summed up the gulf in class by muscling away from Coquelin’s flimsy challenge, jinking past Laurent Koscielny and digging his shot over Cech.
In September, Arsenal sensed their time had come, thumping Chelsea 3-0 at the Emirates. Just like last season’s win over Manchester City, it was another false dawn. That chastening defeat prompted Antonio Conte, a man with caffeine running through his veins, to switch to a back three and Chelsea have not looked back then.
Chelsea’s thinking is clear. They are powerful and purposeful, everything Arsenal are not. Wenger has said he will listen to his gut when it comes to discussing a contract. His stomach will be churning now.
