Another bitter pill to swallow.

Arsenal may mathematically still be in contention for the Premier League title. But the prospect of a sixth season without any silverware looms large. The cupboard remains bare. The clamour from the supporters is reaching a crescendo.

Arsene Wenger's philosophy has been called into question once again. But the script was written at the start of the season. Thomas Vermaelen was ruled out of the campaign, but a world-class centreback wasn't forthcoming. Even though goals seemed to dry up, a world-class striker was nowhere on the agenda. Mooting for a goalkeeper with proven pedigree still echoes around the Emirates. Nothing much has changed since 2005. It's not to say Wenger's policy is a failure. But there are flaws. And those flaws have come at a price. Sadly, the only person on the planet to disregard the evidence is Wenger himself. It would be a shame to see him leave. And he shouldn't. But then, this must be the time he owns up his fallibility and rings in the changes that are to create the blueprint for Arsenal's quest for silverware, going into the new season.

Arsenal's woes that have surfaced lately haven't been any different from six seasons ago. When Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry walked out the door followed in tow by Gilberto Silva, Arsenal lost the soul of a team that strolled through a Premier League season unbeaten. Dennis Bergkamp's retirement signalled the loss of another leader. The reinforcements – if any – didn't measure up to the credentials of the departed, and the signs were ominous. It was almost as if Wenger tried to fit a Ford engine into a Rolls Royce. Sooner than later, the frailties would be brutally exposed. The litany of failures that followed only confirmed that fear.

Arsenal caved in at Bolton on Easter Sunday with more to suggest that the team was running on empty. Fleeting passages of brilliance for long periods but displaying the threat of a shark in a sand-pit has been the drift for the last few games. Wenger must now cast a cursory glance in the direction of the Board Room after yet another season laid bare the case for fresh investment in the squad. And while inquests are to be encouraged, it's hard to imagine Wenger will move away from his principles even in the face of regressing credibility. He holds his head up high with only glowing reviews for his underperforming team. But the smoke is there for all to see.

Totally against the run of play.

Just as the Premier League wallowed into another month of surprises, everyone's predictions were swiftly buried in the snow. Manchester City's ability to turn logic on its head acquired legendary status with another opportunity frittered away. Everton's fourth successive victory away at Eastlands ensured Roberto Mancini's chin kept wobbling more furiously than a turkey's on Christmas Eve. If City can take one positive from last evening, it was Carlos Tevez's sudden reversal of his transfer request decision. However, it's anyone's guess if he'll stay at Eastlands beyond the summer.

Manchester United now seem in pole position to cement their spot at no. 1 with two games in hand and a squad injected with a new sense of belief. It remains to be seen if Chelsea on the other hand have turned over the tide and can get back to winning ways. There is little evidence to suggest Arsenal can still mount a serious challenge. They give a good account of themselves every time they step out on the pitch. Sadly, it doesn't always last the duration of 90 minutes. And the results are always against the run of play. Just like the Premier League falling foul of the adverse weather.

Dead before the ship even sinks.

The same old methodology, a continued penchant for ignoring talent, over-reliance on the old guard; England's recipe for disastrous showings at major competitions remains unchanged. Thanks to Don Fabio Capello. What else explains his burning desire to resurrect Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Jamie Carragher from the dead? Or to recall Matthew Upson after his abysmal defending allowed Germany to romp ahead in Bloemfontein? Or to include the listless Michael Carrick ahead of the more deserving Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker? How Aaron Lennon continues to be snubbed remains as much of a mystery as the inclusion of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Well, Capello at least deserves some credit for being consistent. Being England manager is far from easy. But to be uniformly incompetent, is remarkable. Capello pulls it off with gumption, considerably backed by an equally inept English FA. It's hard to believe the world of football has seen a larger congregation of dimwits. The only probable difference between them and the French Football Federation is the latter has the wisdom to admit problems and remedy the situation. Such wisdom has been alien to the FA ever since Crowded House hit #1 in the UK with Recurring Dream. In contrast, England's nightmares continue to haunt them.

Before becoming England manager, Capello had never managed a national team. He plied his trade at wealthy clubs where recruits of the highest order were in plentiful supply: AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid. As a result, he could always wield fear as a weapon, knowing that should he fall out with any of his stars, there was an expensive replacement waiting elsewhere who could be summoned at the waft of the chairman’s chequebook. At the helm of English football's Holy Grail, it's a different kettle of fish. You pick players on merit, you groom a younger breed and you always have a plan B. Sadly, these tenets have never figured on Capello's agenda.

There were large-scale changes mooted after England's horror show at the World Cup. But barring the retirement of Emile Heskey, Wes Brown and Paul Robinson, there's been nothing remotely earth-shattering. The FA wouldn't dispense with Capello's services and invite more humiliation following their apparent wisdom (of its lack thereof) to renew his contract a month before England's ill-fated World Cup. While the problems continue to escalate, the solutions are few and far in between. The truth is, England's brave new world will have to wait until the FA shed their cloak of spinelessness and get England back in the saddle, in the finest English traditions.

We're back in business... and how!

Chelsea hit the ground running with a 6-0 demolition job at the Bridge on Saturday. It wasn't the most hospitable return to the Premier League for West Brom, who were ripped to shreds by a marauding Chelsea. Didier Drogba carried on from where he left off last season with Lampard and Malouda looking equally ominous. It was also a morale-boosting start for Manchester United, whose sores many believed might still be seeping after they let Chelsea slip through the back door last season. Newcastle gave a decent account of themselves although it hardly matched up to Paul Scholes' masterly display at the heart of the United midfield.

Manchester City's technicolour dreamcoat didn't exactly come through with flying colours against this season's Champions League hopefuls – Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs were in complete control and should've come away with all three points but for the heroics of Joe Hart in the City goal. Roberto Mancini's glowing verdict of the game was nothing more than a veiled defence of his underperforming stars. But City will be expected to rake in the points sooner or later or else Mancini will be left to suffer the indignity that now taints Mark Hughes' resumé. Hopefully, the arrival of Mario Balotelli and James Milner might serve to complete the jigsaw.

If there's a team that's looking to mount a serious challenge this season, it's Blackpool. Wigan didn't do themselves any favours with a shambolic defensive display but a 0-4 drubbing at home was something they least expected and a repeat of which they could ill afford. There's still a bit of wheeling and dealing on the agenda of most clubs with Blackpool, Fulham, Bolton and West Ham in particular focus. The depth of Blackburn's coffers hinge largely on the status of the imminent takeover, with Sam Allardyce set to receive a cash boost of £100 million. The luxury he won't have is time, with the transfer window set to close in less than two weeks.

Arsenal and Liverpool played out a tense yet exciting 1-1 draw at Anfield. While Arsenal enjoyed lengthy spells of possession, it was Liverpool who drew first blood. Arsenal's pretty passing was pleasing to the eye but hardly troubled the Liverpool defence. In fact, Liverpool owed a measure of gratitude to referee Martin Atkinson for sending off debutant Jole Cole deep into first half injury time. Having gone down to 10 men, Liverpool looked more likely to pocket all three points until Pepe Reina's 'butterfingers' moment. There's still no sign of a new top-class goalkeeper at the Emirates stadium. It could be another Arsenal season that ends in tears.

The show is over, the game goes on.

Spain shattered a wall of disbelief and underachievement to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup after a rather cagey, tense and scrappy final. Paul the Octopus' almost unblemished track record continued. Andreas Iniesta showed just why he's considered a genius. Alongside Xavi in central midfield, the two in unison proved they have the armoury to unlock any defence.

English referee Howard Webb will be remembered for his catalogue of debatable decisions through the night; from his handling of Nigel De Jong's kung-fu kick on Xabi Alonso to his failure to award Netherlands a corner minutes before Spain's eventual goal. But it wasn't a particularly easy game to referee, and contrary to popular belief, Webb did fairly well.

Well, the curtains may have come down on the world's greatest sporting event, but the beautiful game goes on. Speaking of beautiful, it's now Arsenal in focus. Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny have put pen to paper. Potential signings have kept the rumour mill busy. But Arsene Wenger's keeping his cards close to his chest, as always.

The octopus lives to see another day.

It was Paul the oracle octopus up against some mathematical mumbo jumbo that's been doing the rounds of cyberspace, tipping Germany to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately for the Mannschaft and 80 million Germans, Paul's divination was correct and mathematical statistics were left red in the face.

We had seen Joachim Loew's team pump four goals against Australia, England and Argentina each. Unfortunately, the fluidity of their game deserted them against a disciplined and patient Spain. The world will wonder how much of Paul's prediction would have disoriented Germany when they stepped on to the pitch last night.

The truth is Spain did what they do best. Keep possession. Pass it around. And then slide a killer pass at the slightest opportunity. Germany were living on the edge for most parts but kept closing the door on Spain. Carles Puyol eventually rose to the occasion and ensured his team made it through to their first ever final.

Spain must realise it's a different kettle of fish against the Netherlands. Only three Spain players have found the back of the net so far, with David Villa's five goals making the Barcelona striker responsible for the lion's share. Iniesta and Puyol are the only others to have a goal to their credit. Something of a concern.

The first World Cup in Africa has something different to offer. A new world champion. For the Dutch, it's a third trip to the title game, having lost in 1974 and 1978. Spain have never made it past the semi finals. Thankfully for both teams the result won't be decided by the hunger pangs of a tentacled oracle.

Is Germany the new Brazil?

The heat inside the World Cup crucible has reached boiling point. France, Italy, England, Portugal, Brazil and Argentina have been forced out the door. Only weeks ago, people were clamouring about Europe being pipped to the finish by South America. It's now down to the last four and that speculation has been ruthlessly dismissed with the Netherlands, Spain and Germany making the grade.

Speaking of ruthless, Germany have laid down a real marker in their bid to claim football's biggest prize for the fourth time. But what's more interesting to note is the manner in which they've gone about their business. 13 goals in 5 games in their run up to the semi final. Slick passing, terrific movement on and off the ball, stoic discipline in defence; the positives are generously well layered.

So what is it that drives at the heart of this German team, and how? Franz Beckenbauer was bang on with his conjecture on how efficient this team is. They can dictate the tempo of the game, win the ball back with consummate ease and score goals at will. The fact that both Argentina and England have suffered the indignity gives reason to believe that Germany has a fair measure of world-class quality.

Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose and Lucas Podolski have all shown that it's not about pace and skill as much as it is about movement and guile, in and around the box. Schweinsteiger, Özil and Khedira look totally in control with or without the ball at their feet. At the back, Friedrich, Mertesacker and Lahm can do no wrong and Manuel Neuer in goal provides the brushstroke that completes the painting.

Germany face Spain in an all-European semi-final on Wednesday, 7th July 2010 in Durban. So far, every time the Germans have swept forward in attack, defences have looked barely in the same postcode. To have Germany grace the last four is almost the natural order of things in World Cup football. But can they disprove the 14/1 odds quoted on them before the tournament began?