The last rites will surely be delivered to Arsenal's Premier League title challenge at Stamford Bridge on Sunday leaving the Champions League as the only trophy left available to Arsene Wenger.
And let's face it, can anyone see Cesc Fabregas lifting the grand old trophy at the Bernabeu in May?
And after spending yet another season empty-handed, would Fabregas suddenly become more open to an approach from either Barcelona or Real Madrid – assuming a secret deal has not already been done?
It seems bizarre that just a couple of weeks ago the Gunners were sitting on top of the Premier League after an unbeaten run which had seen them overhaul Chelsea's 11-point lead.
It also seems strange that we are talking about Arsenal blowing their chance on the back of just two results - the draw at Villa and last week's defeat to Manchester United.
But that defeat to United starkly highlighted the gulf between the two sides and most people think Chelsea are, in fact, much better than Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
Hindsight is obviously a great thing, but at the end of the season Arsene Wenger's decision to field a much weakened side in the FA Cup tie at Stoke could be seen as the Frenchman's biggest error in yet another trophyless campaign.
Going into the game Arsenal had been in fine form and, as mentioned had clawed their way to the top of the league.
But perhaps suddenly believing a title tilt was possible Wenger rested his big names at the Britannia and paid the price as Stoke ran out 3-1 winners.
It’s a decision which looks even more wrong considering how many of the top teams are out of this season’s competition.
Then followed the draw at Villa and the defeat to United meaning that Arsenal now go to Chelsea with their confidence low and their chances of victory even lower.
Chelsea were a class apart when they won 3-0 at The Emirates at the end of November and despite a slight blip at Hull in midweek are clear favourites to win.
The John Terry saga appears to be focusing more on his England duties than his life at Chelsea so will not act as a distraction to the Blues, while Carlo Ancelotti has a virtually full strength squad to choose from.
Compare that to an Arsenal side which continues to be hit by injuries and by Wenger's stubbornness to spend in January.
And the consequences could be long term. There is often talk that Steven Gerrard has decided to leave Liverpool after coming to the conclusion they will not challenge for the title for a number of years.
If that’s how a local lad feels about his local club, what will Barcelona-born Fabregas be thinking if he ends up sitting in the losing dressing room at Chelsea on Sunday.
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