The game was even more of a spectacle than the midweek one against Liverpool. As was the case at Anfield it was Arsenal that dominated most of the first half, although United had their shots too. Arsenal fans should take pride that the two most memorable games of the season, to date, have involved Arsenal. No doubt we would all rather have the silverware, but there are clubs out there which have spent more money, and play more parsimonious football that will be in the same situation.

However when Adebayor scored I couldn't help but feel we would concede in the next three minutes. When Man Utd equalised a mate told me I was wrong, it was 3 minutes 50 seconds, very funny. What Gallas was thinking I just don't know, perhaps it was Karma for his blaming inexperience at Anfield. Why did he do it? Whatever the reasons it set the scene for an inevitable United victory. Arsenal never gave up, but could not press home the advantage and for the first time this season I was really impressed by Bendtner.

Wenger's Way

In a general sense Arsenal were unlucky to lose, but Gallas's action was suicide. It is also interesting that Sky didn't replay Gilberto's alleged foul that led to the goal. Nonetheless the defending of the free kick was criminal, and no doubt will be shown on Aunties Bloomers for years to come.

Many Arsenal fans identify the lack of goals as the cause of Arsenal's recent decline, however to my mind defensive failure is a bigger cause. Since Sagna's injury the Gunners have conceded on average two goals a game. A team that desires trophies cannot afford such generosity in defence, a generosity that has led to only 12.5% in victories in the last eight Premiership games.

Blame Adebayor

Combined with the leaky defence, is a failure to kill off games, for on several occasions Arsenal have failed to score more than one. Yesterday Arsenal had as many chances as United, but only scored one goal. This has led fans to highlight Adebayor's misses. It is argued that he is not good enough to be an Arsenal striker, even though he has scored twenty goals in the Premiership, and three goals at the most important stage of the Champions league.

 Was he any better or worse than Rooney yesterday? Rooney's shots went wide too, but I doubt if I will read United websites slagging him off. Indeed Man U, for all their firepower, did not score in open play. Yes we were all disappointed that he didn't score more yesterday, he had four chances, so I suppose he should have scored them all.

Firing Blanks

How about some disappointment that Hleb, Fabregas, RvP, Gilberto etc did not score? The burden placed on Adebayor's shoulders will become unbearable. A year ago he scored at Old Trafford, the defence held firm and we won 1-0, and he was the hero. This time he scored and the defence fluffed it, as Adebayor said after the match if they could have held firm for ten minutes the second goal might have come.

Arsenal's second biggest problem is not the failure of Ade to score, but that the midfielders are failing to score. Arsenal's successful period was based on the fact that Fabregas, Flamini, and Hleb were all scoring, that rarely, if ever, occurs in the league now. At least Fabregas makes a serious effort to score, but Hleb, as magnificent as he is, has given up on the idea.

One Man Band

Not only does the midfield not score, but the second striker, or advance midfielders rarely score either. Ade's most prolific period was his partnership with Eduardo. Unfortunately RvP has proven to be too rusty to replace him at a key period. Football is about partnerships, and Adebayor has rarely had the same strike partner two games running. He rarely has the same partner over 90 minutes.

New Strikers?

Wenger will do it his way, it is unlikely he will buy new strikers; as far as he is concerned RvP and Eduardo would have delivered another 20 goals between them, if not for injury. The day that Walcott will become part of the strike force also beckons. Any new striker would have to displace one of these three, and that is without taking Ade and Nick into contention.

Depth of Squad?

Wenger claims he only needs one extra experienced player, however that is before he knows who is leaving. Will Flamini and Hleb stay? Is the replacement for Gilberto? Will Lehmann survive another year?

Wenger Only Has One Song

And that Song is my way. Wenger was derided by fans for playing Song at Fulham, Arsene bided his time and shocked everyone by reintroducing him in the biggest match of the season, and the boy didn't do bad. More than that it convinced Wenger he can grow his own.

Wenger believed this squad was good enough, except for injuries and bad luck. After all who talks about Djourou these days? Brought back from  loan only to be injured when needed.

Wenger will try it his way again next season, if that fails he might have to reconsider. However when it is considered that the Man U eleven cost three times the Arsenal eleven in yesterday's match then maybe he has a case. If he doesn't then it will be a sad day for football.

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