I regularly think I need to get myself back into counselling as it's been a while, but I check myself at the moment as I just don't think a therapist would want to listen to me bang on weekly about existential crises that are actually all somehow about Arsenal.

I wish I had a crystal ball. If you offered me the option to see how the season pans out and to know every impending result of the run-in now, I'd snap your arm off. I just want to know. I'd give anything to know.

In under 24 hours I've gone from utter sadness to thinking Saturday can't come soon enough. It's a sickness, really.

In my search for positives/straw-clutching, I have come to the conclusion that winning in the last minute on the final day of the season will be infinitely more exciting and emotional than winning it by 9 points. Maybe the football gods don't hate us, maybe they just want us to get that moment?

Hypothetical for you: It's the final day of the season. We need to score one last goal to win the league on goal difference. We're in the last minute of added time. Who would you want the Mickey Thomas chance to fall to?

I was at Acceptance yesterday, I'm now bordering back on Bargaining...

The good thing about not having an FA Cup semi to play is that even though City can go top on Wednesday, we can get straight back there on Saturday. The situation we find ourselves in is not ideal, but it is very simple. Win every game and there's still a chance.

Any frustration I have about yesterday is completely dwarfed by the fact that if we’d played like that all season we’d be about 15 clear.

Even our fixture list looks like it's mocking us.

I'm not sure I agree with those saying City have the harder run-in. We lost one of our 'easier' games last weekend. We still have to play Newcastle, a relegation-scrapper in West Ham away, and go away to Palace. If we couldn't beat Bournemouth at home, I'm not sure those are 'easier' fixtures...

Hitting the post twice, and that Havertz chance - it isn't happening. Those moments go your way when you're going to win a title. I want to say 'when it's not your year, it's not your year', but we have done this to ourselves. We'll be 2nd by the time we next play and I only see one outcome now.

This feels like the end.

When Eze hit the post I was struck by an overwhelming feeling that things just aren't going to go our way. Now at 2-1 down, with the game playing out the way it is, I am beginning to feel resignation.

This does not feel sustainable.

46 of the longest minutes of my life. Started really well but dropped off significantly towards the end of the half. I imagine the next 45 or so minutes are going to feel even longer.

COME OOONNN

Sigh. Heavy, heavy sigh.

Well, here we go. The biggest game in our recent history. I hope it's an enjoyable experience for us all, but if it isn't, I hope you have prepared a suitable way to cope with the sadness. Come on, you beautiful red and white bastards. Go out and show us what you're capable of.

Genuinely feel sick.

I like this.

I'm pretty black and white about today. Win - we'll win the league. Draw - we'll win the league. Lose - second again, ole ole.

Looking forward to the game.

Tom Hiddlestone on why Arsenal being under pressure and being under the weight if expectations is like breathing "rare air". Love his perspective, and one we as fans should also embrace imo.

Needing to win in Manchester to win a league title? Hope this guy is going...

@alexhorne.bsky.social Two episodes in and no Alex humour section before the prize task. This makes me sad.

Pictures of Ødegaard and Madueke arriving for training. Hopefully a good sign with regards to their injuries. No hint of the long-termers, though.

I'm going out of my way to fixate on Sunday and be a nervous wreck about it today, instead of tomorrow. That way, my anxiety only ruins my ability to work well today and not my ability to enjoy my Saturday.

Arsenal have submitted a request to the Premier League to wear black armbands for Sunday’s game against Manchester City in tribute to Alex Manninger. @theathleticfc.bsky.social 🔴⚪️🖤 www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

One of my absolute least favourite human traits is when you tell someone you'll keep them informed of any updates, yet they constantly chase you for updates.

I'd take a last-minute winner, tbqhwy.

Interesting to note, of course, that PSG, Madrid, and Bayern have all been beaten by the Arsenal over the course of the past two seasons. Interesting is, however, not something that Paul Scholes is capable of being.

When I think about the 97/98 double - which I do a lot - it isn't long before Alex Manninger comes to mind. Quite simply, we wouldn't have done it without him. Very sad news.

For me, Manninger was—and remains—the epitome of a title winning squad man. Wasn't called upon a huge amount, but when he was, it was a crucial stage. He more than delivered. RIP AM13

I am sure a lot of people who care more about being down on Arsenal will deride this tie as insufficient, unimpressive, underwhelming. But in our state, with our injuries, in the context of recent struggles, reaching the CL semis is a massively impressive accomplishment. Kudos to the entire team.

Another article criticising performance without mentioning any of our absentees bar Ødegaard, nor the amount of minutes those who are 'fit' are having to play. It's as if it's a secret to be kept on pain of death.

If I hadn't watched the game, and had come on here to judge what had occurred from the posts on my feed, I'd think we'd have just lost 3-0.

Arsenal were much better after the attacking substitutions, I thought. A bit of energy and freshness. A lot of these players really do look absolutely exhausted, though. Madueke injury is obviously a big worry ahead of Sunday.

Fuck me that was chaotic. And that referee was quite, quite bonkers. Only one thing matters, though: Arsenal are through to a second successive Champions League semi-final.

The referee has lost his damn mind.

The diviest dive you ever did see. Like big Gabi at Newcastle.

Started really well with great intensity but settled into neutral gear as Sporting grew into it. Still 45 minutes away from a semi final despite the commentary team talking about how happy the away team will be.

The Sporting number 10 is quite a delicate flower, isn't he?

'Sporting will be the happier team despite Arsenal still having their lead' We really do have such a weird way of covering football in this country.

Why are we going deep with corners to the shortest man in our team?

Run it off, Dec. Please.

Come on, you beautiful red and white bastards.

We’ve all got issues with the front three but I’m not sure what else Arteta was supposed to do tonight. They are fit - so they play. Havertz/Trossard are probably in the frame for Sunday, and he shouldn’t be starting Dowman (as exciting as he is). They need to improve and make it work.

So much of my hope for this evening is pinned directly on Eberechi Eze and the Champion's League version of Gabriel Martinelli.

Atleti in the Semis if we make it though, then. An opponent in the Champions League semi final that we already beat handsomely in the league phase. Luckily we have no recent experience of that going badly...