Arsenal - Will 4th be enough for Wenger this season ?

1. Start to the season
Arsenal lost 4-3 to Liverpool on the first day of the Premier League season, but they bounced back from that in style. From August 20 until December 13, the Gunners didn't lose any of their 14 league matches; winning 10 and drawing four. It was the type of form which reinforced the idea that they were genuine title challengers, but back-to-back defeats at Everton and Manchester City in recent
weeks - after taking the lead in both games - has probably put paid to their title hopes again this season.
2. Performance of the manager
Arsene Wenger continues to divide opinion among Arsenal fans, and it is easy to see why. The North Londoners have not won the Premier League since 2004. Nevertheless, football fans, like a lot of people, can be a sentimental bunch, and the 67-year-old has achieved too much on and off the field during his 20-year stint at Arsenal for him to be disrespected.

3. Team performance of the season so far
One thing which will really irk Arsenal fans is the fact that they are currently 12 points behind a team who they dismantled 3-0 back in September. It was a fabulous win over Chelsea, but such impressive victories count for absolutely nothing if they don't come in title-winning seasons.
4. Star player
Two words: Alexis Sanchez. The 28-year-old Chilean has netted 12 times in 18 Premier League appearances this season, really looking like the prolific goalscorer which Arsenal fans were crying out for during the summer. He is not the classic number nine, and he does have flaws as a centre-forward, but he is doing a fine job and lord knows where the Gunners would be without him.

5. Where to strengthen in January
Wenger could do with a midfielder in the mould of Santi Cazorla, who will miss most of the rest of the season through injury. The Spaniard is a fine player and, in truth, his team-mates have not really coped without him. Their form and consistency has nosedived in his absence.
6. Likelihood of strengthening in January
Arsenal certainly need players. Problem is, they have a manager who has regularly called for the January window to be scrapped. And Wenger can be stubborn. Don't expect Arsenal to do much.
7. Challenges ahead
Well, Arsenal are 12 points behind Chelsea (with a game in hand), and a Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich awaits them in spring. Arsenal fans won't be universally happy.

8. Predicted end of season position
Fourth. It has to be. They aren't good enough to finish above Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City, but they should have enough to pick up the last Champions League spot ahead of Tottenham or Manchester United. Wenger can get top-four finishes with his eyes closed, but it's nowhere near enough anymore - if it ever was