Three points are as unlikely as they are necessary but we have already proved this week that we can overcome the odds.

Beating Chelsea and throwing a lead away against ten man Wigan were, in their own ways, both remarkable achievements but we need to eradicate the kind of mistakes that led to the latest dip in the Arsenal rollercoaster, starting tomorrow at St. Andrews.

Birmingham have only lost at home once this season despite managing just nine goals in front of their own fans. The Blues have not conceded more than one goal in their last six league games and we have conceded at least once in our last seven. Everything points to a 1-1 draw which is why a win tomorrow would carry nearly as much resonance as the victory over Chelsea. Birmingham netted a late equaliser in last year’s corresponding fixture and have repeated the trick against Spurs and Man Utd recently, we will have to be fully concentrated if we are to avoid the same fate. Hopefully lessons will have been learnt after our latest debacle at the DW stadium.

We should see the benefit of Wenger’s controversial decision to rest eight players and the line-up is likely to mirror the one seen on Monday evening. The possible change may be birthday boy Jack Wilshere who played an unexpectedly significant role at Wigan following Abou Diaby’s latest injury set-back. Birmingham are expected to name an unchanged side from the one which fought so hard on Tuesday night against Man Utd so Wenger may expect to see some signs of fatigue in the opposition as the match reaches its climax.

We have the quality to expose any tiredness that does emerge but we have to ensure we are secure from set-pieces to give ourselves a chance. Wenger has spoken this week of his frustration with our lack of communication in defensive situations as 50% of the goals that we have conceded this season have been from dead-ball situations. Unfortunately  this is not a statistic that would have shocked Arsenal fans in any of the last five seasons so it is slightly surprising to only here Wenger publicly aknowledge the weakness in the last couple of days. Johan Djourou improved the situation against Chelsea but we still conceded from a free-kick while he was on the pitch so it is an issue that is a long way from being resolved.

The last time we were defensively impressive, rather than just adequate, was during the Champions League capaign of 05/06 when Martin Keown was a coach at the club. He was not retained despite his qualities providing  the perfect example for our defenders and we have always appeared to struggle to find the right attitude and organisation defensively. Keown may or may not be the answer but until the problem is resolved Arsenal fans will have their heads in their hands everytime the opposition have a free-kick or corner and that cannot be a healthy situation.

Our New Years Day fixture will be a fierce encounter and we will need to maintain defensive concentration and win the midfield battle to stay within reach of the summit.

Photo: Action Images

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