Chelsea review: disaster

As I have said countless times, I've been supporting Arsenal for almost ten years. Though it's only for the last couple of seasons that I'm able to see basically every minute of every game, I've seen a lot of defeats, some of which were so painful it hurts to think of them even now.
My reaction to abhorrent losses is simple: as soon as I smell we're to lose the game by at least a three-goal margin, I turn the TV off in order to keep my nervous system intact. Considering the lengths I go to to get home on time for a match, turning off the TV is the same as skipping the game altogether.

I've been able to sit through the demolishing at the Etihad, because the game was never really out of our reach. A month ago (at Anfield) I opted not to watch any further than 17th minute. This time I did the same. Even the minute was the same.

The manager kept his faith in the squad that delivered against Tottenham and this, in my view, was an unwise decision. Though we have beaten Spurs, I had my reservations about starting some of the players again, Podolski and the Ox spring to mind at this point. They were probably not any worse than everyone else, but I have a feeling that, had Flamini started alongside Arteta, we would not have been 3-0 down as early as 17th minute. We may not have been down at all.

As it was, three childish mistakes in the opening minutes ensured the game was beyond repair and the fans, the players and Arsene had nothing to do, but watch a hapless 10-man Arsenal beaten to a pulp. As it was in the game against Liverpool (and earlier, City) we just didn't show up for the game. Psychologically, of course.

We can say Marriner was incompetent, sure he was, but does that change the fact we were crap from the first minute to the last? That a professional ref in the 21st century can mistake one player for another is bollocks, but, frankly, it wasn't because of that that we've lost. Chelsea punished our every mistake, but the fact there were so many to begin with is something that really gets me down.

This defeat was every bit as painful as it was unexpected. I thought the players would try and step it up for the manager,  but we fell well short of even our own notion of failure.

Arsene didn't have the heart to turn up for the usual press conference, but who would blame him? Today, Twitter is alight with rumours of Arsene leaving the club at the end of this season.

Maybe that's why the club went into a fully-fledged lockdown mode after the game, cancelling pre-Swansea press conference and forbidding the players to take their anguish, sorrow, anger and whatever else to mass media. This may also be out of pure respect for Arsene Wenger, who is, ultimately, just a man and cannot endure everything thrown his way. As reporters will do all the same, but at least Arsene will have a bit of time to recuperate and think of what to do (and say) next.

I've always held our manager in high regard and always trusted his word. He said once, that when he himself understands there's nothing he can do for Arsenal, he will leave. If he's come to such a conclusion after a beating we took on Sunday, I will accept his decision. To most, this will look like Arsene's running away, should he leave in the summer, to me it'll look like he's kept his word. If Wenger decides, he can no longer lead this Club to success, then he really cannot. It he stays, I'll ask for a marked improvement in our away games against the big clubs.

All of this is very sad and the timing of the defeat itself could not have been worse. Wenger's 1000th game will always be remembered for a punishment his side was dished out, which is plain unfair if you look at how much the man has done during his tenure.

He didn't desert his team even after their abject performance on Saturday and took full responsibility for the defeat. He has shielded his players once more and it's a true measure of his personal qualities. Arsene named this day "one of the worst in his life", mine will come, should the Frenchman leave the club.

Don't know, what else there is to say.

I'll get back to you tomorrow for a preview, as we'll start picking up the pieces.

Until then