Monday's game was a lot like Christmas Day itself. Too much build up and hype, with the promise that this one will be really special, only to be confronted with the same old rubbish on the big day.

When is the last time we beat a rival? 2006 Chelsea away - that is four years - far too long for a top club such as ourselves. (Ed’s note. Why let the facts get in the way of an argument! Wins over Man Utd home and away since then?)

Watching the game with my neighbour Darren on Monday he made an interesting comment in that Spurs gave a better account of themselves at Old Trafford than we did. My mind went numb at the prospect that it was actually a very fair point.

How to sum up the problems? Initially we tried to hard to match them physically, rather than play football. However the real problem lay in our inability to start our quick passing game from deep. United pressed us quickly up the pitch and slowed us down, and by the time we reached their penalty area they had time to be well organised with two banks of four stopping us creating any threat. The same has happened against Chelsea this season too. In short how to beat Arsenal 101 (if we don't chuck it away ourselves before).

Major problems in midfield selection, playing Arshavin and Rosicky. In a game where a pacy outlet to play quick counter attacks was vital we only played Walcott late on. Note how deep United went when he came on.

Is anyone sick of the site of pinning false hope on RVP and Cesc as they come on with 25 minutes to spare? How many times have we seen this scene now?

Blaming the pitch was embarrassing by Wenger - admit we didn't turn up and were not good enough, but don't insult our intelligence. We can all talk about big changes needed etc. but I hark back to a point made last week - Failure may now be engraved within the psyche of the side. Just as winning big games becomes a habit - so does losing.

On a positive note we can go top this weekend by beating Stoke at home - assuming Chelsea get some sort of result at the Bridge against United Monday's loss will not be as damaging.

We have Chelsea at home after Stoke - another loss will not only halt our title challenge but ask serious questions as to whether Wenger can really take Arsenal further forward. The more often we come up short in the big games the more it will add fuel to the growing dissention toward Arsene. My gut feeling is that come the end of the season we will have third place and the Carling Cup - which would be enough for the current board to remain within their comfort zone.

Finally a wish list to Santa - let's hope he is feeling generous this year

Dear Santa...

I know we have tried to be good this year, we play football that is pleasing on the eye, yet at the end of the season we never seem to add to our trophy cabinet. You of all people must appreciate the "moral" victory that we achieve in the big games, but we really need your help for the coming year.

1. Please can you get the elves to put some magic potion down the E******s chimney for Vermaelen's achilles? Without him Le Boss insists on playing Koscielny and even Mrs Claus would know that Djourou is better.

2. Some silverware - Carling Cup or FA Cup would be nice, Champions League would be great, Premier League would be superb

3. Avoid Barca or Real in the next round of the Champions League. Ignore Theo - he is a bit young and wet behind the ears. Seriously my morale could not take another pounding against Europe's big guns.

4. Bulletproof leg armour for Gibbs to stop him from getting injured

5. A set of postcards for Cesc from Barcelona so he can write to us next year

6. A new haircut for Sagna - white dreadlocks are soooo 2007

7. Cotton wool for Nasri so we can wrap him up...

8. For RVP see point 4