Fabregas had this to say about their excuses.  “As a team, we need to be stronger, We can’t hide behind people saying we are too young or we have injuries. We just have to compete.

“People say you must learn from your mistakes, but you learn how to play football when you are 12, 13, 14, 15. You don’t learn these things when you are 25.

“Of course, you can still improve, always improve, but the basics must be there.

“If you play for Arsenal, it is because you have to have these attributes. That is why I do not believe age is an excuse.

In the past few years, we have been doing very well, but whenever it comes to important moments, maybe we haven’t been up where we need to be,

We have always tried to play our football, but the goals we have conceded lately have come from defensive mistakes.

We can keep playing the same style of football, but it is the mentality that will determine whether you win trophies or not. We need an extra edge in these big games.

We want to do well and get better and better, that is for sure. But, remember, these are teams that have won things recently and, in terms of winning trophies, are more advanced than we are.”

Thomas Vermaelen scored for the Gunners. The Londoners will have to work harder if they want to take this English Premier League from Chelsea or Manchester.

Personally, I’m rooting for Chelsea or Arsenal.