There are so many positives that could be drawn from the game that unravelled so bittersweetly yesterday evening, but with the image of Aaron Ramsey’s agony (and, to be fair, the unfortunate Ryan Shawcross’ very obvious distress at having inflicted the injury) still seared on the inside of my eyelids I’m afraid that the emotions I am feeling are overridingly negative.

It’s not the injury I want to dwell on, but the feeling that this game may have drawn a line under Cesc Fabregas’ career at Arsenal. As he said in the post-match interview, Cesc has seen this happen three times in five years at the club. It would be totally natural, given the physical punishment he receives every game at the hands of cynical or just mistimed challenges, for him to be thinking, ‘there but for the grace of God go I.’ The grass on the continent where the physicality of the game is much more contained – though not, of course, immune to brutal players or challenges – may well be looking considerably greener now, as if the lure of Barcelona were not strong enough.

Does he have a right to think so? I can’t see a case to the contrary, especially for a player of sublime technical talent, raised among the traditions of Spanish football. The rage will have been at its peak just after full time, but there was a look on his face when he spoke about the lack of protection and the limit of what is acceptable that hinted at a player whose willingness to endure it, to risk it, had run its course.

I couldn’t blame him, and if he shows the same commitment to the club that he did in driving the team on to victory this evening, and has, to be fair, for his entire Arsenal career, then it may be that he leaves with Arsenal tasting the success we have all longed for.

It is a doubly cruel blow that the incident that might have convinced Cesc that his future lies elsewhere was an injury to the player that most saw as his natural successor. Ramsey’s career is currently in the balance and much depends on the nature of the break and the speed with which it can be treated. But I think there is still reason to believe he will shine for us. Abou Diaby suffered a similar injury and while his road back has been beset by injury, and subject to the fury of the impatient, there is no denying that he is beginning to establish himself as among the league’s best midfielders. Then there is Ramsey himself. While his craft has won us all over, equally impressive has been his steeliness. He has the look of a winner – almost Scholes-like – and he can overcome.

So there, some positivity amongst the gloom. Our thoughts are with you Aaron, and Cesc, stay strong and keep it going for just a few games more. I won’t ask anything more.