GONE are the days when I expect us to beat any of the big clubs. All I hope for is a good performance and that we can pick up enough points against the rest to finish in the Champions League places.
So in that respect the game at Chelsea was a success. If you discount most of the first half anyway. But it would have been a very different story had Giroud put away the early chance that presented itself. For Arsenal to have won they simply had to score first, and Giroud simply had to score.
Walcott put the Frenchman clear and he should have taken a touch to push the ball in front of him instead of letting it go across his body which made the angle so much tighter. Walcott has had his critics but you just know this is the sort of chance he would have stuck away, as he proved in the second half.
We played well after the break of course, forcing Chelsea back and creating numerous opportunities to get something from the match, but you cannot play for just 45 minutes against the top sides and expect to get a result.
Yes, both their goals were dubious to say the least. Coquelin was clearly fouled in the build up to the opener while it did appear as though Ramires simply slipped over in the incident that led to the match-winning penalty. Or perhaps he just conned the referee. He anticipated the challenge from Szczesny and fell over. Either way it was a harsh award.
But at least we showed some character after the break. Walcott's goal, his 15th of the season - not bad for someone who allegedly can't finish - came at just the right time and I was convinced we would go on and get a point.
But the late pressure came to nothing and in the end we were grateful to Vermaelen for a goal-line clearance to deny Ba an undeserved Chelsea third.
So where does it leave us? Well the squad looks very thin on the ground. With no Arteta, Podolski or Ox, the bench was especially weak. Things were so bad that even Arshavin was given a run-out in the closing stages. I really wanted him to grab the equaliser but it is not going to happen for the little Russian now so it is time to wave a fond farewell.
With under two weeks left of the 'Transfer Window' (sponsored by Sky Sports), Wenger really does need to spend. A striker, a defensive midfielder, a left back and a centre half are all required if we are going to fulfil the potential in players like Wilshere, Ox, Walcott and Cazorla.
But it probably won't happen. Wenger will not buy a defensive midfielder as he will not want to hamper the progress of Coquelin. Plus, he will say, we have Frimpong waiting in the wings and Diaby is fit again.
Having persuaded Walcott to sign a new contract on the basis he will play more often as a central striker, Wenger will not want to buy another forward now, especially as we already have Giroud and Podolski.
So we will probably see out the season with the same group of players who have so far flattered to deceive. At times brilliant - Liverpool and Reading away, Southampton and Newcastle at home were all performances of potential Champions.
Yet at other times we have been so poor it's been painful. Norwich and Villa away for example, Swansea at home. Sometimes we have gone from one extreme to other within the same 90 minutes. As we did at Chelsea.
Having said all that, I still think we will finish 4th. We have an easier run-in than most of the teams around us and we seem to have a knack of pulling it around when it really matters.
But is that enough? Many Arsenal fans would argue that it is not. With the price of tickets surely we should be able to compete with the likes of Chelsea, City and United, they say. Plus it is nearly 8 years since we last lifted a trophy.
However, I would take 4th place over an FA Cup success any day. A day out at Wembley is all well and good but it is soon over and then all you have are the memories, a few hundred quid less in your pocket and a place in the Europa League to look forward to.
No, not for me. I feel we have to be in the Champions League. After everything that has happened this season, that would be a real success. Plus it would mean Spurs missing out again. Come on you would like that wouldn't you?
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