Is there a crisis at Arsenal?

ARSENE WENGER takes the moral high ground on inflated transfer fees and refuses to jeopardise the club’s coffers.

But Wenger surely cannot keep finding high-impact players.

Perhaps with billionaire Alisher Usmanov increasing his stake, he will have funds for a world-class striker in the summer.

DEFENDERS

KOLO TOURE and William Gallas are one of the most experienced centre-back partnerships and they are boosted by emerging talent in defence.

Bacary Sagna is combining attacking flair with defensive duties at right-back while, at left- back, Kieran Gibbs will give Gael Clichy a push for his place.

MIDFIELD

CREATING chances has never been a problem and they carved out three clear openings in a superb first seven minutes — none of those were taken.

Gradually Cardiff were overrun. Song provided the muscle, Vela and Denilson the guile — while the chippy Nasri gives a bit of everything.

STRIKERS

WITH only one goal in the last four games — until last night — it is crystal clear where Arsenal’s problem is.

Emmanuel Adebayor has not captured last season’s sizzling form and Nicklas Bendtner only chips in with the odd goal. Maybe the returning Eduardo, who looked lively, will turn it around.

VERDICT

GUNNERS have it beautifully right in some areas and hopelessly wrong in others.

It demonstrates why Arsene Wenger’s side cannot be serious title contenders and even their place in the Champions League next season is under real threat.

But last night was a big step in the right direction.