Since our humiliating second half at St. James’ Park, results elsewhere have helped to ease the pain but at 5pm on Saturday it felt like one of those games that would signal the beginning of the end of the title race.

A scintillating start meant we were 4-0 up inside 26 minutes but a moment of stupidity from Abou Diaby and yet another injury to Johan Djourou signalled a collapse on a scale never seen before in Premier League history.

Within the first minute Theo Walcott displayed his centre forward credentials with a blistering run through the centre of the Newcastle defence, outpacing Colccini and calmy slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Only two minutes later we scored from another Andrei Arshavin corner when Johan Djourou broke his Arsenal duck with a great header. Before ten minutes was up, Walcott’s burst to the by-line and pull back gave van Persie a chance which he despatched ferociously into the net with his right foot. The Dutchman notched another goal when he found acres of space from Bacary Sagna’s cross and planted a rare header past the keeper; a perfect first half. Diaby’s dismissal and Djourou’s injury instigated a catastrophic second.

The worrying pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci were again at fault but were not helped by a complete reversal in attitude from the whole team. Whereas an impressive clinical concentration was apparent in the first half, the dreaded complacency that has plagued us in recent years, completely engulfed us in the second half. Koscielny’s clumsy foul gave Joey Barton the chance to score the first from the spot. Clichy’s weak aerial challenge allowed Leon Best to score the second. An unnecessary push from Tomas Rosicky gave Barton another penalty and a ‘Danny Rose’ from Tiote in the 87^th minute secured a point for Newcastle. There was still time for Robin van Persie to clip a beautiful finish into the top corner but we were denied a barely deserved reprieve by the offside flag.

Wigan away and Tottenham at home are the most uncomfortable recent examples of our worrying mentality but this was worse than both. Four goals is a huge lead, even with ten men. Afterwards Wenger signalled his concern at the possible mental scars that this result will leave but defeat for Man Utd later in the day means that we actually gained at the top of the table and are now only 4 points away. Had we won 4 or 5 nil at the weekend we would now be touted as favourites for the title but, as it stands, we are firmly second favourites, a position that will hopefully help to prevent another relapse into this unforgiveable complacency. Maybe that is just wishful thinking though, taking positives out of Saturday is something even Arsene Wenger will struggle to do.

Photo: Action Images

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