Arsenal Lose by Two Goals to Manchester United. Is Arsenal's Season Over?

"The man must feel that it's as if the fates are against him," Martin Tyler referring to Arsene Wenger.

It's usually frustrating for fans to see their team lose to their arch rivals, but this time the fans could feel nothing but a sense of helplessness, it's as if the Gunners are destined to lose key players and get knocked out of tournaments within a matter of days.

Arsene Wenger can feel frustrated all he wants, but this is something he must take some part of the blame despite the fact that luck is usually against Arsenal, it's not a coincidence that Arsenal usually dominate possession and end up losing, it's not about possession, it's about what you do with it, and in that regard Manchester United have succeeded with brilliance.

The man of the match was, without a doubt, Van Der Sar, the Dutch keeper was brilliant throughout, he looked like a teenager rather than a man in the twilight of his career.

It appears that Wenger doesn't have a plan B, less than a month ago the Gunners were in the Carling Cup final and were competing in four different tournaments and looking good, now they have only the EPL to fight for, and the majority don't think Arsenal have what it takes to win the tournament as well.

Ever since the Gunners lost in the Carling Cup final in such disappointing fashion, they have been short on confidence, it's been stated time and again that should Arsenal lose the final of the Carling Cup, they would be affected mentally, and sadly they've been affected greatly by the "Mickey Mouse" cup.

Now, Arsenal are out of all the cups, and to add insult to injury they are short on numbers in the defensive department, and have only Almunia available to protect the Arsenal goal.

It's not all terrible news for the Gunners, they are only three points behind Manchester United in the Premier League, and they have a game in hand, so the probability of winning a trophy isn't dead as things stand.

The question is, can Arsenal win the EPL?

After all the heartbreak and the injury crisis occurring, it's hard to imagine the Gunners winning, especially with the track-record the red and white army have, they're almost guaranteed to collapse at the final stretch of the season. What with Denilson and Diaby covering in for Fabregas and Song, it's obvious that errors occurring are highly likely.

However, it's not a crisis Arsenal are in. Richard Bach said it best "'Every problem has a gift for you in its hands." The Gunners can fully focus on the Premier League, while Manchester United and Chelsea are in more than one competition. Should Arsenal fail to take advantage of this chance, they have only themselves to blame.

The five year plan is nearing it's end, fans are begging Wenger to spend the money available on defenders, on a leader that can help Arsenal when they need to dig deep and get the result. The Gunners make it so far, only to collapse at the very end, it's as if you're watching a tower of Jenga, you know it's gonna collapse eventually when the pressure starts mounting.

This trophy drought has become prolix, fans are getting tired, the press is enjoying criticizing Arsenal and writing about their failures. Quite frankly, who can blame them?

28 games played in the EPL, 10 remaining, hosting Liverpool and Manchester United, not to mention traveling to White Hart Lane, Arsenal have a lot to prove with fewer resources, it's frightening to imagine that Arsenal have to face 10 teams with Squillaci and Koscielny partnering each other, a proven failure, not to mention Almunia standing in goal, despite his great saves against both Barcelona and Man United, his errors can define Arsenal's season.

Can Arsenal win all 10 games? Unlikely, but they can at least fight for a draw where a loss is certain, and they must beat Manchester United if they are to lift the EPL trophy come May.