Only four months ago Arsenal's principal weakness in mounting a title challenge was considered to be in central midfield, where they looked bereft of a physical presence following the departure of Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva.

But as Liverpool arrive at Emirates Stadium on Sunday with the Gunners outside the top four after 17 League games of inconsistency and inner turmoil, it is a lack of wingers that threatens to turn Arsene Wenger's dream of beautiful trophy-winning football into the nightmare of a gritty battle for Champions League qualification.

Abou Diaby was originally earmarked for the role Denilson has since filled admirably alongside Cesc Fabregas but a thigh injury in the pre-season Emirates Cup tournament denied the
22-year-old an opportunity to cement a place in Arsenal's engine room.

Since his return from injury, the Frenchman has been deployed either as a second striker, where he sometimes played for previous club Auxerre, or wide in midfield — a somewhat curious position for a man who stands 6ft 4in in the mould of Patrick Vieira.

Alexander Hleb's departure to Barcelona, Tomas Rosicky's seemingly endless injury troubles, Theo Walcott's shoulder issues and the increasingly injury-prone status of Samir Nasri have clipped Arsenal's wings and pushed Wenger into testing the versatility of a squad that are more malleable than most.

“He has all of the ingredients [to be a holding midfielder], both physical and technical but not tactical because in his mind he is more and offensive player and not a defensive player,” said Wenger of Diaby.

“That tactical defensive awareness is more in Denilson or Song than Diaby, who is more interested in making a difference going forwards.
“But we try to develop that in him and he has the ingredients to be a central midfielder. He is conscious of that but also you have to chose a position for a player where he feels comfortable with his physiological profile.

“If you play somebody against his deep desire, he can never be completely himself.”

Supporters have limited patience with players, even if they are played out of position, and while Diaby has kept a low-profile, the man performing a similar role on the opposite flank is an example of how it can all go wrong.

Sunday marks the first home game since substitute Emmanuel Eboue was taken off after a quite appalling display as the Gunners laboured to a 1-0 win over Wigan.

The 25-year-old began at Arsenal as a right-back but was shunted further forward as Bacary Sagna proved himself an immediately consistent performer following his move from Auxerre in July 2007.

Eboue's natural footballing abilities are limited and, as such, the contrast between the dynamic, creative movement of Walcott or Nasri compared to their labouring deputy could not be more marked.

While playing in the even more unfamiliar position of left midfield, Eboue disrupted the flow in spectacular fashion and incurred the wrath of an audience used to the ball moving between players as if on a string.

Arsenal's away fans in Porto and at Middlesbrough showed their support for the beleaguered Ivory Coast international and they are expected to do the same on Sunday.

Perry Groves, who suffered similar abuse on occasions during his time at the club between 1986 and 1992, said: “I am sure he will get a good reception.

“Obviously, you want the players to rally around you but when I played, my team-mates Paul Merson and Steve Bould used to think it was quite funny because they thought while I was getting booed, they would be left alone.”

Of more pressing concern to the home fans is likely to be the eight-point deficit that makes victory a necessity.

Second guessing Rafa Benitez is not easy but his team selection is especially unpredictable after a week in which the Spaniard has not taken training while recovering from an operation to remove kidney stones. A draw would probably suit the visitors — and victory would further reduce doubts they can sustain a title bid.

Arsenal's lack of natural width could inhibit their ability to break down Benitiez's men, who could look to soak up pressure and then hit on the break.