Why Wenger and Arsenal fear this perfect storm

The perfect storm is here for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal.

The kind of storm that can derail all hope and optimism that until recently had restored an air of confidence to the Emirates stadium.

Let’s look at the facts with three games to go in Premier League and therefore, nine points at stake.

Mikel Arteta is out for the rest of the season.

Theo Walcott is out for the rest of the season.

Jack Wilshere is out for the rest of the season – and may be longer.

But the one that is really worrying is Robin Van Persie – the man that single-handedly has kept Arsenal alive with 27 Premier League goals this season has finally run out of steam.

Let’s start with Van Persie.

With the bemused look of a magician who woke up one morning and found his magic wand was not working anymore, Van Persie kicked everything in sight at the Chelsea goal on Saturday afternoon. Nothing went in.

There were outrageous volleys, first-time zero-angle shots and free kicks – they would not go in.

Even when he was bang in front of goal with a simple tap-in in the first half, it would not go in.

Van Persie seemed puzzled.

Arsene Wenger looked worried.

The stats show that when Van Persie does not score, Arsenal are generally in trouble.

Now, with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Theo Walcott, two other goal-scoring prospects out, it’s a worst-case scenario for the Gunners.

Champions League qualification with a top four finish is no more a certainty. Arsenal, by drawing nil-nil with Chelsea have opened the door for the Blues.

Newcastle is now within one victory of catching up with the Gunners and despite Tottenham Hotspur’s continuing slump – they lost to QPR late on Saturday – Arsenal need to win to ensure their position.

Aaron Ramsey’s floundering performance in midfield will prove to Wenger that he has a squad that is still spread too thin.

The perfect storm is here – the question is can Arsenal weather it this time.

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