Incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows. Yup, it's an abusive relationship alright.

By Abhishek Mehrotra

First, the Champions League game. We taught Barcelona how to play football didn't we? Seriously though, what a match! And what a jaw dropping performance by the European champions. We witnessed a football treatise played out on the park. Instant control, precise one-touch passing and constant pressure on the opposition. Magnificent.

I hated every minute of it.

Well, not hated - for there was a morbid fascination in watching Arsenal being swept off the pitch by some of the most beautiful football one is ever likely to see. It was like a really good horror movie. You cover your face but can't help watching through gaps between the fingers.

We could have been five goals down by the break, had it not been for some indifferent finishing and stunning goalkeeping from Manuel Almunia.

Unfortunately, it looked like he had shed a few million brain cells during the break - running out to clear a long ball, getting caught short and then rushing back to save Ibrahimovic's lob. It would be comedy gold were it not so tragic.

It's indicative of the way Almunia's season has gone so far. Brilliant one moment, pedestrian the other. For a side with serious domestic and European ambitions, it's just not good enough.

He got beaten again by Ibrahimovic, this time at the near post - although both Vermaelen and Clichy must shoulder the blame as well for getting caught out of position from yet another long ball. The game looked well beyond our reach at that point and deservedly so.

But someone had forgotten to hand the script to Theo Walcott. Or if they had given it to him, Walcott tore it apart. The winger put on his after-burners and raced in behind Maxwell to take advantage of great through ball by Bendtner. 2-1 and there was hope.

A comeback that had seemed laughable when Barca scored their second was completed when Puyol fouled Fabregas inside the box. The skipper lashed it in with some ferocity to restore to bring Arsenal level.

The debate will rage on as to whether it was a foul or not. To me - it was (no surprises there). I don't think it was intentional but Fabregas was denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity - which automatically implies a spot-kick as well as a red card.

All square then and an incredible comeback by the Gunners. After the battering we received for the first 70 minutes, it was sheer bloody-mindedness that got us back in the game. Another example that this team is ready to shed the "mentally fragile" tag.

Physically though, we're as weak as - well, as typical Arsenal teams of recent years. Fabregas is out for the season, so is Gallas. Arshavin might be done as well. Add that to the injuries we've carried at various points in the season - Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott, Clichy, Denilson, Bendtner, Kieran Gibbs, Robin Van Persie and everyone within a three km radius of the Emirates.

Realistically speaking though, I think the Champions League tie would have been beyond us even if we had a fully fit squad. A 2-2 scoreline at home in European football is pretty much tie over - and when the opposition is Barcelona, only the most deluded or richest of fans would put any money on Arsenal.

Sometimes, you just have to put your hand up and say fair play to the opposition.

Domestically though, we are still in with a shout and more. The game against Birmingham last Saturday was scratchy, to say the least. Nasri looked to have done enough to secure the three points but then Kevin Phillips scored off his left nostril.

For those who missed it - here's what happened. The ball arced into the box, Sagna tried an overhead kick to clear it and smashed it into the face of the onrushing Phillips.

It looped up towards Almunia who spread his arms as if he were trying to catch a planet instead of a football and obviously missed it. 1-1 in injury time and there was no "later" left to score another late goal.

The result makes us even more dependent on other teams but there's still a sneaky feeling we can nick it. At least one of Chelsea and United will drop points this week. Arsenal need to keep up their end of the bargain by beating Wolves.

The loss of Fabregas, Arshavin and Gallas will make it difficult of course. But we coped without Fabregas earlier as well when he was out with a hamstring injury. Nasri becomes the pivotal man in midfield while Campbell and Vermaelen are more than capable of doing a job in defence.

In attack, one of Eduardo, Vela and Rosicky has to step up to the plate now.

I hope Wenger does not opt for Song in central defence. We need someone solid in midfield who can press the opposition and prevent the sort of long balls that were so fatal against Barcelona.

Moreover, Song's energy is best utilised in a wider role where he can marshall the defence across the breadth of the pitch.

All in all - we might still be in with a chance but there is absolutely no leeway now. 18 out of 18 is a must and hopefully our rivals will do the needful by dropping points.

This week should see us back to winning ways in the league and most likely out of Europe.

Of course, given the way this season has gone - we could lose 4-0 to Wolves before thrashing Barcelona 5-2 at the Nou Camp with Almunia scoring from 60 yards out.

Till next week.