If I had written this last night it might have become a nonsensical rant, sometimes sleeping on bad results makes reflection the following day clearer; however 15 hours later it is still difficult to take in. United were classes above us yesterday and unfortunately we deserve every piece of stinging criticism aimed at us this morning. This so called different animal that Wenger spoke of in his programme notes was not to be seen on the pitch, rather we were like the proverbial leopard that cannot change its spots.

Much like against Stoke at home earlier this season, we started with four attacking midfielders and no striker. That day we struggled up front and against United yesterday we lacked pace and speed going forward. The introduction of Bendtner changed the shape of our attack yet it is our defensive frailties that cost us dearly. There was a gasp every time United came forward, quite simply they created chance after chance and 3-1 was actually not a correct reflection of their dominance. Wenger correctly pointed out that two goals came via counter attacks from our own corners. To concede one in this fashion is poor, to do it twice is unforgivable.

It is an indication of how naive we were positionally and have been for the last three years.

Arshavin, for all his vast qualities is not a central target. Rosicky and Nasri are two sides of the same coin, good players, yet the combination of the two does not offer enough attacking diversification at the highest level. Cesc will not be held accountable if he leaves for Barcelona in the summer and can then compete for the trophies that his talent so richly deserves. Song showed spirit and at times took on United on his own. Finally imagine where we would be without Vermaelen?

Our team has weak links which are now far too obvious; Denilson offers nothing defensively or from an attacking point of view to warrant a place in the starting line up. His lack of pace has been pointed out on Gooner podcasts, his failure to catch Nani was key in conceding the second goal. Too often, Gallas roams freely up front without taking the responsibility to track back. Clichy is no longer deserving of his left back slot, Winterburn, Sansom and Ashley Cole: these are great left backs that Arsenal fans have been used to over the years, and at one point Gael looked to be heading toward this list. However his career has flatlined in the last two years, but perhaps the return to fitness of Gibbs next season will see genuine competition for this slot. Finally the Spanish goalkeeper... oh how awful he was yesterday! At fault for the first goal, his performance subsequently deteriorated to a point where even the very basics such as kicking began to escape him! Wenger dropped Lehmann a few seasons ago for similar errors, so his loyalty toward Almunia is frankly startling.

Arsenal under Wenger are no longer progressing at the very highest level. Chelsea and Manchester United are two of the top three teams in Europe, hence to win anything eventually we must learn how to defeat them. Wenger stated yesterday that this was United's first away win against top four opposition in a while, the difference is that in this time United have won honours and have not been thrashed every time they face a close rival.

The flip side is that if we beat every other team in the league we still have a chance at the title. Yet, looking to next Sunday I cannot see anything other than Drogba and Anelka licking their lips in anticipation. If we somehow win, then five points is not impossible to surmount, but this is clutching at straws. Bill Shankly himself had a five year wait between trophies, Ferguson didn't win anything for four years at the start of his reign, Wenger has one season left on his contract, the closer this nears to expiry the more pressure he will be under to deliver. Rather than discuss his position as manager, I just hope he takes a look at himself, his fault with tactics and keeping faith with players who let the team down, before it is too late.