Arsenal 1 Manchester United 3: Not in the Game!

Apologies for the rather lengthy absence (not that many of you will have noticed anyway). This is especially in light of the big matches that have been raining in one after the other, but what can I say, having been so engrossed in a truly enthralling Africa Cup of Nations tournament; one which climaxed with the record-breaking Pharaohs' coronation as kings of Africa yet again (thank you, thank you—and sorry any Ghana fans)!

As last weekend approached, and with Egypt indeed confirmed as finalists of the Orange Cup of African Nations, Angola 2010, and with Arsenal's "date with destiny" with Manchester United , it became apparent pretty quickly that it was a case of watching one or the other for the four o'clock kick-off on Sunday afternoon. Of course, with the former a one-off occasion and a chance at making history, it was a no contest.

And thank God for that it turned out. For as I received a quickfire double text informing me that we were 2-0 down (thanks largely to Tommy Boi, who I am sure was cracking up at my 2-1 victory prediction literally sandwiched between his two texts), a sense of impending doom crushingly dawned upon me with regards to our actual chances for this season.

As I later found out through various discussions and, after eventually getting myself round to watching the highlights, sorry, "highlights", my worst fears were confirmed. Not enough to sour the post-Angola mood, mind; a true indication of just how Arsenal and Wenger have been found out.

Nakedly exposed in an apparent home title match-up for the second time this season, we were simply awful. Second best in all areas of the pitch, everything that could've gone wrong did. People were shuddering at the very prospect of a Campbell vs. Rooney had Vermaelen not made it for the match following his leg injury, and, thankfully, we never got it.

Cue the Gallas-Vermaelen horror show take II, following on from their disastrous outing against Chelsea in November quite spectacularly, torn apart by Rooney, Nani and co. Not to mention Sagna and particularly Clichy's traumatising experiences at full back, the latter having been singled out for particular criticism ever since his return from injury anyway. And of course there is that clown in goal...I mean Manuel Almunia (did I say that out loud?).

The midfield looked decimated—not for the first time against a half-decent team this season, or over the last five to be entirely honest. Just how Arsène Wenger had believed that such a flimsy engine room could compete with the very best is beyond me.

Not only because it's pure bullshit, as demonstrated so pragmatically time and time again, but because he had so charmingly managed to pull the wool over our eyes. Or over my eyes anyway, convincing me that this was our year. This was our time!

Of course, that home 0-3 reverse against Chelsea seems an age ago now. Back then, we all thought it was a freak result, something that will not be repeated for a long while yet. And with the next ten matches, yielding seven wins and three draws, we dared to dream that perhaps Wenger was right after all.

How wrong we are!

With that latest degradation against Manchester United on Sunday, a few home truths have knocked the stuffing out of us, possibly for good. Cast your minds back to similar crushing defeats at the hands of our two biggest rivals at the Emirates at the back end of last season; something that I am sure you will not struggle to recall, and you quickly see an ominous trend developing.

Our maximum is third-best, with our home ground having turned into a gift shop charitably giving out free goodies to our biggest rivals. I stated that this latest defeat had really left me deflated, contemplating what the future holds for Arsenal and for Wenger.

It does not look good, or at least will remain so until a change of tack is recognised, acknowledged and administered. And this will simply not happen under the foolhardy, obstinate, single-minded Wenger.

Remember the striker that had Wenger's myopic eyes on the lookout, with a desire to finishing his business early in January? Well, finish early he did, as bugger all was achieved, as Khalid strenuously pointed out; not the first time Wenger had broken a promise by the way.

That and a stealthily constant refusal to acknowledge the weakness of the midfield, the underachievement of several "stars", as well losing out on Chris Smalling so meekly to the Champions, and you realise that any good run is indeed a false dawn, and that there really is no point putting our hopes up.

This was the match to put an end to the nightmare run of poor results against world class opposition, namely Chelsea and Manchester United . A chance to prove that the aforementioned fiasco in November against Drogba's Chelsea was indeed just one bad day at the office.

But, this has gone far beyond anyone can possibly tolerate, especially with the team running on empty in terms of depth, physical strength, and mental strength; the concession of two goals within a ten-minute period on more than one occasion a case in point.

Of course, I say that, perfectly aware that I may well end up with egg on my face come next Sunday at Stamford Bridge. But, I'd have to say I'm pretty confident that my face will remain "de-egged" by the final whistle next weekend, as it will take something rather special to turn things round with a win against an in-form, powerful Chelsea outfit.

And, even if the unlikely does happen, and we do win, who is to say that this would get us back on track?

For me, such victories are a bit like morphine. Quick, effective, temporary pain relief providing plenty of hope on the short-term, but slowly leading to a strangulating, choking, and ultimately painstaking death.

I'll get my coat.