Arsenal head towards Saturday’s Premier League encounter away to Chelsea in the grips of a midfield crisis and a fresh bout of soul-searching over the direction of the club who are on the verge of exiting yet another title race before the first week of February is over.

Aaron Ramsey’s calf injury adds to a list of central midfield absentees with Granit Xhaka suspended, Santi Cazorla injured long-term and Mohamed Elneny at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and also carrying a calf strain. Added to that, Jack Wilshere is on a season-long loan at Bournemouth without a recall clause having been inserted in the deal.

It means that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be drafted in alongside Francis Coquelin to face Chelsea. If Arsenal lose, the gap to the leaders will be 12 points with 14 matches to go and Arsène Wenger’s side then looking to maintain a place in the top four.

That would raise the pressure further on Wenger – currently serving a four-match touchline ban – who is in the final year of his contract with a two-year extension on the table and yet to be signed. If Arsenal finish outside the top four and do not win a trophy there is likely to be a change of manager.