I try and maintain a sense of perspective when it comes to football, it is after all a game. Trouble is, when it comes to the Arsenal, all sense flees. This is not going to be a reasoned post, this comes from the heart. You have been warned.

I have been quiet today. I was the most quiet, for the longest time, after losing the CL final. I don't rage, I don't call for Arsène to be sacked, I am just quiet. It's not a nice quiet, it's an empty sort of quiet. It's about being deeply disappointed with your team. A team you know are a good team, a team you told everyone who would listen, and some who didn't particularly want to, were a good team who would win stuff this season. And then they go and play crap. So I have been quiet today.

Truth is that United out-Arsenaled Arsenal. Anyone remember when the worst thing you could do against Arsenal was to win a corner? Because if you lost the ball we would be down the other end with the ball in the back of the net before you could say 'we oughta get back boys'. That's what we used to do. Now we put Stuart Little up front (thanks Alan), a player who rarely manages to concentrate for more than a quarter of the game and expect him to out jump whatever non vertically-challenged player is put in his way. Not really a great shock he didn't win too many headers. Having said that, neither does the mythical RvP to be fair. He just looks like he might be able to. I know it's not about headers really, it's about presence. Arshavin is dangerous running at defenders, if he's leading the line he needs to not run at defenders until other players catch up with him. Or he scores on his own. Unfortunately he managed to do neither.

I digress. Arsène has already said we didn't play too well. Hard to disagree. What was amazing is that so many players didn't play well. Some were more culpable than others and we all know who they were, but it felt like they hadn't gotten over last years 1-3 or the loss at Old Trafford. I couldn't help but think they figured if they could hold on to the coat tails of United. They might get something out of it if they could just hold on. It's sad that we can't seem to have a team with the self belief of United. Is that down to the manager or players? Don't know, but the manager was badly let down by the players yesterday whatever you think of their relative ability levels. Like many I think Arsène having said he would, should have brought some sort of a striker in during the window. A loan would not have caused his fledgling superstars to commit hari-kari, but after yesterday the idea that we could not improve on what we have looked more than faintly laughable. Just about anyone could have improved our goal threat. I wish he would say nothing rather than say something and do nothing. It doesn't exactly build trust.

My rational side says that we could still be building something, after all how many Gooners now recognise that Arsène was right about Song and to a lesser extent maybe Diaby. He could therefore be right about Denilson and Almunia. No really. Trouble is the footy fan in me wants to win something to show the world that actually they do need to take notice of the mighty Arsenal.

I happen to think that calling for Arsène's sacking is total errant nonsense. Not even worth arguing against. The Prem is far from decided and a win next weekend would stir things up a bit. Not sure I believe it's possible, so Arsène is going to have to dig out all the 'mental strength' this team possess this week. If he manages it, I'll be cheering with the best of them. But for now, I am just being quiet.