Are the signs pointing to us throwing United tie?

Listen, I hope I’m wrong but hearing Arsene talking about Cesc being out and his past behaviour points towards that.

I’d put your house on the line and say that I’m pretty certain Cesc will be available for West Brom the week after. If Wenger throws this match and we don’t win the league, what have we achieved this year? How can we keep taking solace from the tiniest improvements? How can we tolerate a manager who doesn’t have that killer instinct anymore?

My faith is paper thin, the only thing keeping me going is the fact that somehow, we’re still in with a massive shout in the league. Such a good shout, it feels almost impossible that we won’t pull something together until the end of the year.

Question is, if Wenger wins the league this year, will it satisfy the critics? It’s a bizarre situation to be in, but I’d hazard a guess it probably wouldn’t.

Has there ever been a more unsatisfied crowd considering our position? Have you ever taken such a ribbing from oppo fans about a title contending season?

I haven’t.

We’re in with a shout when we shouldn’t be. We’re contending the league and 75% of the fans think the team are a bunch of chokers…

So what is the answer?

It’s to sort out this shambolic mess and play the best team this weekend.

I don’t want to read about how dignified a 40k a week keeper has been. I really couldn’t care a crap about what Almunia has been through. The reason he’s been dignified is because he knows he won the lottery when he joined. Being dignified would have been leaving in January.

One other gripe from me Arsene…

‘We can take confidence and belief from the Barcelona tie’

… Have you ever heard such tripe?

Being trounced at the Camp Nou should give us no belief. If players are taking belief from losing games, they should be ashamed.

The difference between Barcelona and Arsenal is firstly, they are better technically. Secondly and for me, more importantly, everyone of their players has an incredible intensity to their game and a superb work ethic. Second best isn’t tolerated there, poor performances are not passed off as the folly of youth, if you don’t have it, you don’t play.

Arsene, you need to take a lesson from Pep. Stop flogging poor players to death. If a player isn’t good enough after 150 games, who cares a crap if they are after 200…we’ve just blown three seasons waiting for that moment.

Arsenal fans have waited long enough, if this team bottles it now, there should be a squad overhaul in the summer. This is top level sport, top level wages are being taken, but top performances are not being given in exchange.

Let’s get the culture right starting on Saturday. I want to see the spirit of Jack, Robin and Vermaelen out there. I want to see people playing like they mean it, I want to see blood, guts and thunder on the Old Trafford pitch.

This is the Arsenal, if you’re not proud to wear the shirt, f*ck off to another club whoever you are…we don’t need you.

I still believe we can do something this year, but my gut feeling says a lot of it rests on Saturday evening. Don’t mess it up Arsene… prove to us you ‘know’ because the growing consensus is you don’t anymore.

P.S. This post was brought to you in association with Iphone…. honestly, your praise in the comments will be entirely welcome.