Arsenal saw their faint Premier League title hopes all but vanish on Saturday after they went down 3-1 away at leaders Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger’s men were already nine points adrift and in need of something special to win a first title since 2004, and that challenge became even greater when Marcos Alonso rose higher than Hector Bellerin to head home after just 13 minutes.

Eden Hazard’s stunning solo goal made it two just after half-time, before an uncharacteristic Petr Cech error allowed former Gunner Cesc Fabregas to net a third.

Olivier Giroud did head home a consolation on a miserable afternoon for Wenger’s men, who once again look set to go another year without winning the Premier League.

In fact, Wenger now faces a battle to maintain his excellent record of finishing in the top four every season since he took over back in 1996, as his men are just a point clear of fifth place Liverpool, who themselves are only a point ahead of Manchester United.

Many felt that the January window was an opportunity for Wenger to strengthen his side, but to also let a few players move on to other challenges.

In the end, there weren’t too many outgoings last month, but here are TWO that really should have left Arsenal in January…

Carl Jenkinson

It looked like Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson was on his way to Crystal Palace last month, although reports suggest that the Gunners man called the deal off after finding out Eagles new boy Jeffrey Schlupp’s wages weren’t in line with his own demands.

It now means though that the 24-year-old will have to remain as part of the Gunners squad, although the likelihood of him appearing in the side at any stage this term is very slim.

The England international has played just 83 minutes of Premier League football this season, and that was all the way back against Manchester United on November 19, and he hasn’t played at all for Wenger’s men since their 2-0 League Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual finalists Southampton on November 30.

Injuries did hamper his early season chances, but Jenkinson has been available for selection in recent weeks yet isn’t going to get near the Arsenal team.

A move to Palace would have been hugely beneficial to his career progression, but now it looks like it’s going to be six months wasted while at the Emirates.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted back in October that he may need to make a decision on his future at Arsenal should he not play more regularly.

The 23-year-old is embarking on his best goal-scoring season to date since he moved to the Emirates in 2011, having netted six goals in 29 appearances for the club, although 14 of those 29 have been from the substitute’s bench.

Clearly, despite scoring six goals and laying on a further five assists, still isn’t getting a regular starting berth in Wenger’s team – in fact, since appearing on Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday, Oxlade-Chamberlain has started just seven of their 16 Premier League matches.

Although he’s appeared as a substitute seven other times during that spell, it’s probably not the first team football the winger was hoping for, and given that he started just one league game during January, a move away must have crossed his mind.

As it happens, it looks like Oxlade-Chamberlain will remain a squad player between now and May.