Arsenal’s disastrous blowout loss to A.C. Milan in today’s Champions League match could mean that not only are they basically out of that competition, by Arsene Wenger’s own admission, but that they are in serious danger of sliding into their seemingly-annual pattern of late-season self-destruction. Fans will no doubt remember the Gunners’ swoon last season starting with the February 27 loss to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final, which began a month-long run of disappointments which saw them knocked out of all four competitions.
Wenger has attributed that slide to player fatigue and competition overload, which is an excuse that will hold little water this season, as the team is just now returning several key players from season-long injuries. However, one can’t help but wonder if the team is in for a similar run starting with this weekend’s FA Cup clash at Sunderland. Following that game, Arsenal has surging Tottenham at home, followed by a visit to Anfield against resurgent Liverpool, the second leg of the near-hopeless tie with A.C. Milan, then a home date with Newcastle. Though Arsenal is already out of the Premier League title chase, the club is engaged in a desperate fight for a top-four finish, and bad results in these upcoming fixtures could eliminate them from Champions League qualification next season.
As a squad dominated by young players, Arsenal must do something to muster mental fortitude heading into these key matches. They must have a short memory and focus on the task at hand, which is fighting off Chelsea, Newcastle, and Liverpool for 4th place as well as making an all-out attempt to lift the FA Cup trophy. If things go according to plan, they may end up meeting Liverpool again at some point if they are to accomplish this.
Arsenal’s performance in the next month will not only have serious implications for their chances in competitions this year, but also for their summer plans. What will they do if they collapse again? Will they finally see reason and spend money to improve the squad? In some respects, a poor end to the season could be positive for them in the long run, if they are forced to add the marquee talent fans are so desperate for.
stupidgooner 
[…] Though the central defender position has been one of relative depth this season, injuries to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in successive games has left the squad in dire straits. With those two out of the lineup, the Gunners are left with this rotation: Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, and Sebastien Squillaci (yikes). Given that Vermaelen was not much better than Djourou in yesterday’s ugly pasting by A.C. Milan, Arsenal may find itself without any in-form central defenders during the most crucial stretch of the season. […]