The pain of yesterday's mauling is likely to linger for a while. I still can't think straight and it's impossible to digest that we could be so naïve, almost idiotic. This isn't a new feeling either. We have been outplayed in the big matches with mind numbing regularity in the recent past. It's as if all of us deserve shock treatment every few months for being mentally challenged enough to support the Arsenal.

Now, it's the turn of El Capitan. I don't know the original source of this interview and have read different parts on different sites. I believe most of you must have read these comments but I will reproduce them for those who haven't.

Throughout the game [at Manchester City in the 3-0 Carling Cup defeat last Wednesday], we had a lot of possession but didn't really have anyone to go in behind the defenders, apart from Carlos Vela.

Recently, Messi was crowned the World Player of the Year. Given the year Barcelona have had and the Argentinean's role in the team, it is well and truly deserved. This award though, made me take a look at the recent history of WPoY.

Here are some interesting facts,

2009 Winner – Messi

Age at the time of winning 22

Club at the time of winning Barcelona

Years at Club before winning WPoY 9

Transfer fee – Peanuts, I guess.

Once again the rotten month of November has troubled us (I shouldn't be saying this about the month of my birth but you can't argue with facts!) We have lost momentum and I don't think anyone who loves the Arsenal is feeling very positive these days.

The buying brigade is baying for blood, fresh blood.

International football doesn't normally excite me. But my football initiation was through the 1994 World Cup and this tournament has a special spot in my heart. I am looking forward to South Africa 2010, even at the risk of irritating Arsene

The draw was held last Friday and I believe most of you will have seen that by now.

Carlos Vela has just signed a new six-year contract. There's an indication of Arsene's faith in his talents if ever you wanted one. The Mexican putting pen on paper takes the number of contract extensions signed this year to eleven. Apart from Vela, senior players like RvP, Eduardo, Song, Walcott, Fabianski, Bendtner and Denilson have agreed fresh terms.

Earlier in the day I was listening to Arsene's pre-match press conference. It was moving ahead as usual with discussions about injuries, title hopes, top four places and such trivial things. One hack then shifted the focus to something more sizeable.

Journalist: Fabregas has said that the club needs a big physical presence up front, do you agree?

This article was also published on 11Gunners.

Two weeks ago Arsenal were 11 points behind Chelsea, 6 behind United, and written off by many pundits and fans who had lost patience. In these two weeks the leaders have lost the moneybags derby and drawn at home to Everton. Villa have taken three points at Old Trafford.

I was quite frustrated after the Burnley result as you must have noticed from my review. But I didn't say the title hopes were over and if you are a regular reader you will have noticed that I am extremely pro-Arsene and have always talked about keeping the faith.

Over the last couple of days I have read some articles and comments talking about how our hopes are over and many of our players are completely useless.

I have been thinking about this ever since our trip to Anfield. In his post match interview after Liverpool, Arsene said,

I believe first of all Liverpool played very well in that period and we played with a handbrake because of our fear. That fear was of not winning the big games because we lost against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Arsenal have had a prosperous holiday season so far. Within weeks of being written off from the title race, we are back in the thick of things with an impressive haul of 13 points from a possible 15. A spate of poor results for leaders Chelsea shows that it's easy to drop off the pace in what is turning out to be the most unpredictable premier league season in recent history.