The End

I thought I should explain the paucity of posts last month, and why this will be the last.

It has just been too painful. And I think I should start caring less. This was started as a means of catharsis, but I figured it's way too painful for catharsis. But let's get this sorted out.

Firstly, it is painfully evident that this will be another trophyless season. I have not used the word "yet another" because that implies some expectation or supposition that it should not be or should not have been. But let's be honest, we have not even been close since the Invincibles. Yes, there was the Champions League Final of 2006 - but even then, let's look at the line-up then:

Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Hleb, Cesc, Pires, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Henry. Subs: Flamini, Reyes.

Only two years ago, and who's left? Cesc, Eboue and Kolo. And surprise surprise. How did we lose? By giving away two goals at the end.

So where was I. Yes, another trophyless season. And a team which earlier than past seasons, has shown that it has the character of an 8 year old child. Brilliant one moment, the object of great pride another, but also possessing the confidence, strength, steel and maturity of...an 8 year old. How can a team have a confidence that comes and goes as fickly as the English weather? How can we flit from a 5-2 win at Fenerbahce to utter utter nonsense 2 weeks after? How can we throw away two goals in 4 minutes while ahead of our so-called rivals?

We have lost three games this season. In themselves, I would not be concerned, but more sadly, it's how we have done so, and how we will continue to do so that matters. Yes, we drew with Spurs, and it's one point at home - the same that Chelsea got in their game with Spurs. But let's get real. Chelsea are likely champs, we aren't.

It was said many times that in games past, it was boys against men, and the boys won. Well, against Stoke, the men won, and the boys were made to look like...girls.

So where do we go from here? Well, Cesc will leave. If not in January, then in the summer. The rest, well, does it really matter? Clichy may leave, and so too Sagna. There's something horribly wrong with the team - much as Arsene loves (or loved) talking about team spirit - and until he figures it out, the team will drift.

As Arse fans, we have gone through worse. Much worse. And in the recent past too. I can fall back on those memories, and think that well, at least it's been worse. So I'll remain an Arse fan, but one that will care that much less.

I knew this was coming when I sat and watched the Stoke game unfold. Never had I seen such a performance. It must as well have been a bunch of reserves from the Championship. Utter nonsense. And I must say, Cesc was the worst. He's been generally nothing since EURO 2008. Such are our expectations. So I sat there watching, expecting the inevitable. And it happened, sooner than I thought. And I decided to watch the MU-Hull game instead. I switched back learn that Clichy had scored his first ever Arse goal. And I didn't care. I still haven't seen it, and neither do I want to.

It's two days to Arse v Man U. The biggest day of our season, and I don't care as well. You know you've hit rock bottom. It's like when you learn how to deal with someone that you love, but decide you can't care about anymore. That's me.

One of three things could happen on Saturday: Arse whip Man U (probability: 5%). MU whip Arse (probability: 70%). Boring draw: (25%). Whatever it is, our season is over anyway.

So that's the end....for now at least. Until something happens. Which really for now, looks as likely as...David Dein?