Other more qualified supporters have discussed exactly what needs to be done to bring this squad up to scratch. The suggestions usually concern which new players should be brought in and which should move out. The talk is all about player attitude, backbone, commitment, determination and experience.

But these are not the only things that matter. Other teams are improving every year, relative to Arsenal, and leaving us behind. Fortune smiled on us this season and helped us into fourth place. We have no right to expect supernatural help in the future. Next year it might be Aston Villa’s or Everton’s turn to be fortunate. Those above us in the league don’t have to pray for good fortune.

What seems to be missing is an analysis of why the existing talents are inadequate, as they clearly are – nobody is disputing that. Many of the players are truly gifted and they do try to play as a team. On the other hand they are given strict instructions to play the Arsenal way, which involves slick, accurate, pin-ball passing along the ground, admittedly very easy on the eye… when it succeeds.

But we have seen time and time again that other teams have worked out how to counter this style and apparently it is not that difficult to stop Arsenal playing. But at Arsenal there is no other way to play! That’s the crux of the difficulty – lack of flexibility and flair!

We need more tactical options and we need a leader who is not just a captain in name, but a true deputy manager on the pitch with a canny football brain and with a mandate to change things around in real time. I believe Arsene Wenger does not favour this approach at all and is very reluctant to delegate authority, but to me it is obviously what is required in fast changing situations. The pep talk at half time is no substitute.

As I write (piece submitted on Wednesday evening last week – Ed) I am a Wigan supporter for the first and last time in my life and the unwelcome result, more than unwelcome for all Arsenal supporters, has just come through from the JJB. Is it all over for Arsenal this season then? No, it isn’t. Not by any stretch of the imagination. The greatest humiliation for years awaits us on Saturday. Not only will we be annihilated again (I see no prospect of timely deliverance from this fate.) but ManU will be crowned League Champions immediately after defeating Arsenal – in front of our players and our manager. (see timing above, one out of two ain’t bad, but let’s face it, a heavy defeat wasn’t too fanciful a notion – Ed)

Having witnessed all the celebrations on the pitch, Arsène Wenger will be invited to taste some good French wine in the company of Sir Alex and be expected to offer a toast of congratulations. What a sweet victory for SAF and what an utter humiliation for AW. Even now, SAF will surely be gleefully rubbing his hands in joyful expectation and thinking to himself: “Can it get better than this?”