Gulf in class set to test Arsene Wenger to the core

There isn't much in football that could dissuade Arsene Wenger from his passionate belief in youth but conceding 11 goals in four games against the three Premier League principals will surely test his resolve to the core.

For the events of the last three weeks could have provided no clearer indication that the potential of his hugely-talented team will never be unlocked unless experience is brought in.

Wenger agreed to this last summer by signing Mikael Silvestre but the mere fact Manchester United were happy to let him leave should serve as a telling indication that he is not good enough and that Sir Alex Ferguson saw little threat from the Gunners this season - his refusal to sell Gabriel Heinze to Liverpool provided a stark contrast.

Silvestre was at the centre of the catastrophic defending that contributed to yesterday's 4-1 mauling by Chelsea and it is no surprise that he believes the playing staff should not be revolutionised because the Frenchman should be the first out of the door if changes are made.

Again, the mitigation is that William Gallas, Gael Clichy and Manuel Almunia were all unavailable but in the space of six days, United and Chelsea have demonstrated the superior strength in depth that can prove pivotal.

A third top-class centre-half is a major difference between Arsenal and the top three - United have Jonny Evans, for Chelsea read Alex and Liverpool can call on Daniel Agger where the Gunners have the faltering Silvestre and the unproven Johan Djourou. "You wouldn't like to come out and say we'll buy four defenders," Silvestre said. "I feel we have quality defenders. It's more a question of balance in the team rather than individuals. We could have done much better in midfield on the second goal, so it's not about defenders always.

"That was never a 4-1 game but our chances to finish third are over. We conceded four against Liverpool, three against United and four yesterday, so we have to improve in defence."

The match took a very similar shape to Tuesday's European defeat. Arsenal started well with Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby guilty of missing superb chances and yet found themselves 2-0 down by half-time. Silvestre was beaten in the air by Alex before he stood off Nicolas Anelka as he smashed a swerving second. Kolo Toure scored an own-goal before substitute Nicklas Bendtner threatened to breathe life into the home side with a header but as Silvestre allowed Florent Malouda through to score at the second attempt after Anelka hit the post, the scoreline depicted the gulf between the squads, rather than the first-choice line-ups.

"I think the three-goal margin was a good reflection of the difference between the clubs," said Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink. "It shows that Chelsea are one of the two or three biggest clubs in Europe. But it will give Arsenal, also, a lot to think about."

Intrinsically linked to the vulnerability at the back is the ineffectiveness of Arsenal's defensive midfielders. Wenger did not help himself by persevering with Diaby on the left of midfield and Samir Nasri in the holding role - a tactical deployment that failed so undeniably at Old Trafford.

But Wenger played down those concerns when saying: "I was more worried when we played four successive 0-0's without creating a chance. It's easier to correct defensively. Things are not doom and gloom."

Wenger has often lauded his side's character but Chelsea won this battle hands down, even in light of the furore surrounding Didier Drogba's actions against Barcelona.

"The big issue was whether his conduct was against the team's interest and it wasn't," said Hiddink. "But he saw what he did wrong and apologised for it."

By contrast Wenger has a huge job on his hands to rally the troops ahead of Saturday's trip to Old Trafford.

The Gunners boss has clung to the 21 unbeaten Premier League game record like a security blanket but Arsenal have conceded 36 goals in 36 League games and that has undermined their season.Ten points ahead of Aston Villa but nine points behind Chelsea, Arsenal are in a league of their own. But not in a the way Wenger would want.