Arsène Wenger’s high-wire act exposes hole at heart of Arsenal | Amy Lawrence

The Gunners manager’s fatal attraction to playing at all costs leaves defence as an afterthought – as highlighted in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea

Stoppage time provided a vignette of classic latter-Wenger Arsenal. Hearts were in mouths, and nobody knew whether to celebrate or panic or faint. Having taken a lead, then thrown a lead, and then seized back some pride with a last gasp equaliser, Arsenal’s defence evaporated completely as Chelsea almost won it all over again. “Never a dull moment,” muttered one fan to his mate as they shuffled out the stadium having witnessed another night of strangely confusing excitement against a top opponent.

Arsène Wenger recently said, albeit tongue in cheek, that he would prefer to play with one defender. Somewhere in there is a grain of truth, in that he has always been in thrall to the idea of what to do with the ball. Without it seems more of an afterthought. Make that an after-afterthought.

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