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GOING, going, gone? Arsenal are on a freefall and unless Arsene Wenger can stem the slide, their chances of winning the Premiership will be gone. The Gunners' early season bubble burst after four consecutive draws against lower opposition. Kolo Toure's late equaliser against Middlesbrough on Saturday was scant consolation as both Manchester United and Chelsea won their matches, albeit in unconvincing fashion. Having played one game more, the Gunners are now level on points with Man United (67) but behind on goal difference, and only three ahead of Chelsea ahead of their clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. To think that it all looked rosy for the Gunners at the beginning of last month, when they opened up a five-point lead over Manchester United after a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on 11 Feb. The Red Devils handed the advantage over to the Gunners when they lost to their city rivals City at Old Trafford a day earlier. But from then on, it all went downhill for the Gunners while their closest challengers hauled themselves back into the Premiership race. Arsenal lost two points and their star striker Eduardo da Silva in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham on 23 Feb. That was the start of a wretched run that saw the Gunners drop points against Aston Villa, Wigan and Middlesbrough. Man United, on the other hand, recovered from their loss to Man City with three consecutive wins over Newcastle (5-1), Fulham (3-0) and Derby (1-0). Chelsea are also back in the equation after wins over West Ham (4-0), Derby (6-1) and Sunderland (1-0). Arsene Wenger can offer excuses on Eduardo's horrific injury, poor pitches and the lack of luck. But the bottomline is that they are not showing title-winning form. So what's wrong with the Gunners? Despite dominating possession (57 per cent) and having 17 shots on goal, compared to Boro's four, the Gunners failed to get all three points on Saturday. Gareth Southgate's men rubbed salt into the wound by making the most of their only shot on goal - a wonder strike by former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere in the 25th minute. GUNNERS HAVE TO LEARN TO BE RUTHLESS AND EFFICIENT The Gunners may be the most exciting team to watch in the Premiership, but this was one game where getting three points should have been the top priority. The New Paper's football analyst Tohari Paijan said: 'At this stage of the season, it's all about ruthlessness and efficiency in getting results, even when you're not playing at your best. 'Man United and Chelsea were below par on Saturday, but they managed to beat their opponents. 'The Gunners need to change their style of play if they want to win the Premiership title. 'Playing beautiful football should take a backseat, getting a win at all costs should be their aim from now on. If they have to win ugly, then so be it. 'The lower teams have learnt how to counter Arsenal's style of play. Once they score first against Arsenal, like what Middlesbrough did, they will defend deep till the end.' CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND PREMIERSHIP REQUIRE DIFFERENT MENTALITY Arsenal fans are still scratching their heads as to how their team can beat mighty AC Milan, yet flounder against teams like Birmingham, Wigan and Middlesbrough. Tohari said: 'In a knockout match over two legs, both sides go for a win so that's why play is more open. 'You are only as good as your opponent allows you to play. That's why Arsenal could play their passing game. 'It is a different story in the Premiership. The lower teams are fighting for survival, so if they deny the Gunners the time and space to play their normal game, there's nothing much Arsenal can do than to change their style.' GUNNERS MISSING EDUARDO, VAN PERSIE LACKING IN SHARPNESS Robin van Persie started his first game on Saturday for the Gunners since coming back from a long injury layoff. But the Dutch striker was clearly lacking in sharpness and was replaced by Theo Walcott in the 61st minute. Tohari feels that the Gunners are missing the injured Eduardo, who has forged a decent partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor. He said: 'After a slow start, Eduardo has settled down in the Premiership. Then he had to suffer that horrific injury. 'Van Persie needs a few more games to get back his sharpness. 'What did Nicklas Bendtner do after coming into the game? Nothing. You could tell that he and Adebayor were going for the same aerial balls as both are players of the same mould. 'I don't think the players are affected psychologically by Eduardo's injury. Compare that to the deaths of Motherwell's Phil O'Donnell, Sevilla's Antonio Puerta. Which one is more serious? 'With or without Eduardo, there's a job to be done. 'But the Arsenal players are simply not up for it.'
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