I read a quote in the local press this week which went something like “Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.” It might be advisable for Arsenal’s players to take heed of such wisdom in this very difficult period. They have absolutely nailed the going from failure to failure part, but it would take a great leap of faith to spot much enthusiasm in the latest set-back at Anfield last week.

Although historically Arsenal have rarely prospered in Liverpool’s back yard, (in past years a 1-0 defeat to a late goal would not have raised any alarm bells unduly) it seems to have been the last straw in the patience of many Gooners, who have been spolit rotten since the beginning of Wenger’s reign. It was certainly difficult to take anything positive from the night, other than the continued excellence of that barking mad German between the sticks, who deserves far more respect from everyone who loves the Club.

There has been much introspection from Arsenal fans and pundits in general during the last week which has obviously been exceedingly negative. Much has been made of the sale of Vieira, the quite atrocious list of injuries, which has led to the blooding of too many young players, and the alarming loss of form of the senior ones that are left. All of these have been contributory factors with the injuries probably the most debilitating because it causes disruption which can’t be foreseen. How many clubs in history have played EIGHT different players at left-back in a single season? Such an extra-ordinary occurrence would normally indicate a problem position, but ironically it’s a position where Arsenal are currently blessed and are traditionally so strong.

Personally, I think there is a much bigger and more sinister picture emerging, which is of much more concern to football in this country in general, rather than specifically Arsenal. Since the formation of the Premier League we have enjoyed wonderful attacking football which has brought the game to unprecedented levels of popularity. For the most part, it has been dominated by Manchester United, and in more recent years, Arsenal. The 2003-2004 season saw Arsenal take this attacking style of play to such a sensational level of excitement that they became just too good, anyone who tried pitting a similar game against them were brushed aside with almost arrogant ease. Eventually even United had to adopt a much more physical approach to prevent Arsenal from dominating them. The problem is that it worked! Other teams have copied their approach, and as a result more defensively minded and physically stronger teams like Chelsea, Liverpool and, yes Bolton f****** Wanderers, are enjoying much more success.

You may notice that I have totally disregarded the emergence of Chelsea’s obscene financial muscle. This is because it is unsustainable and can only be a temporary state of affairs. When the bath plug is pulled out from under their sea of filthy loot, their demise will be as rapid as their obnoxious rise!

Unfortunately, this has also coincided with another unsavoury element of the game which I’d hoped we had seen the last of, and that’s football pitches which are good for nothing but growing root vegetables on! Hang your head in shame Chelsea and Manchester United in particular.

All things considered then, it’s probably no great surprise that Arsenal are struggling to compete, but talk of an irreversible decline is nonsense. On the eve of possibly the most glamorous fixture in Arsenal’s history against Real Madrid, there is much to look forward to, not least the magnificent new stadium that is nearing completion that will magnify Arsenal’s earning capacity and make them accessible to twice as many people as before.

Arsene Wenger is not just one of the very best football managers there has ever been, he is a visionary who is preparing The Arsenal for a glorious future. Vieira’s departure signalled the end of “The Invincibles”, but he is patiently going about constructing his third and most ambitious team yet.

The current situation is difficult to stomach, particularly for our “newer” fans, and I fear there will be many more set-backs to endure, but the future promises much. Football tends to run in cycles, so be heartened and let’s hope that this current “Neanderthal” period is short lived.