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Defensive shortcomings dent the Gunners title bid

Arsene Wenger fears Arsenal's defensive shortcomings have ruined his side's Premier League title challenge.

Arsenal's failure to deal with a barrage of long balls in the closing stages at Stamford Bridge on Sunday allowed Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to score twice and clinch a 2-1 win that left the Gunners languishing six points behind Manchester United.

Wenger was surprised by the way his back-four failed to stand up to the battering, with William Gallas and Kolo Toure both culpable for Arsenal's meltdown.

The French coach would love to get straight to work on the problem on the training ground, but the midweek internationals will deny him that luxury.

As if that is not bad enough, injuries to full-backs Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy could unsettle Wenger's defense even further.

"It is a game we should have won, but we have shown some lapses in concentration that we paid for," Wenger said. "That is difficult to swallow because we played quite well and were in control of the game. I feel we have some defensive problems that we need to sort out. We gave an easy goal away against Middlesbrough and Aston Villa. Defensively we lost control of the game. Overall the team played well but we got caught when Nicolas Anelka came on with the long balls and the physical battle."

Arsenal have lost their nerve with the finish line in sight, failing to win any of their last five matches and the manager knows they have handed Sir Alex Ferguson's side the initiative.

There could be no more bitter way for a purist like Wenger to surrender the title to his old adversary from Old Trafford as Arsenal allowed themselves to be battered by Chelsea's rudimentary soccer in the closing stages.

Wenger had been confident of three points when Sagna headed in a Cesc Fabregas corner in the 59th minute.

When Blues boss Avram Grant replaced Michael Ballack with Juliano Belletti the Chelsea faithful groaned their disapproval, chanting for Jose Mourinho.

But it proved inspired.

Belletti's long ball in the 73rd minute reached Drogba, who took advantage of a generous offside decision to slam home Frank Lampard's pass.

There was even more to come from the Ivorian with nine minutes to go. Belletti's cross was flicked on by Nicolas Anelka and Drogba's shot was parried into the net by Manuel Almunia.

Chelsea are five points off the top and United have to visit the Bridge on April 26, so the title is still within reach.

"I don't know if we will win the league, but we will do our best to do it," Grant said.
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