Endgame?

OK folks, this is it. The hysterical reaction to defeat at Craven Cottage on Saturday points towards something - not just the 'three years without a trophy' fever of fans who have never known anyone but Wenger in charge - a feeling, a sense of time's winged chariot drawing near. I'm no doomsayer; last year I pooh-poohed all the prognosticators of Arsenal's demise, scoffed at Spurs's chances of overhauling us. And I was right. But now; now... Senderos is apparently the latest to leave, this year following Diarra, Lehmann, Flamini, Hleb and Gilberto. Senderos's departure seems to signal the first breach in the dam of Arsene's youth policy. I liked the signing of Silverstre (even though he was injured straight away) but not if he was signed at the expense of Senderos or Djourou. What is going on?
Well, this is what I think might happen this season:
1. Arsene will sign no-one of first-team calibre before the end of the summer transfer window.
2. The team will finish third in their Champions League pool and drop into the UEFA cup.
3. The team will struggle with injuries to senior players again, and an over-reliance on young players will result in highly uneven results, especially away from the Emirates.
4. Arsenal will be well adrift of the top three by Christmas, possibly even out of the top four.
5. Arsenal lose in the semi-finals of the UEFa cup, struggle after Christmas, and finish outside the top four, qualifying for the UEFA cup in 09-10.
6. Arsene Wenger resigns as Arsenal manager.
7. Danny Fiszman sells his stake in the club. It is bought by an overseas oligarch who immediately refinances Arsenal's debt. The composition of the board changes markedly.
8. Cesc Fabregas is sold to Barcelona, Clichy to AC Milan, etc etc.
9. The board consider replacing Arsene with Tony Adams... And that, my friends, would be a total disaster.

I hope this scenario never comes to pass. But I fear something like it will. We all can feel the winds of change. The blogonauts are but leaves blowing in it. Wait for the first 'Wenger Out' chant of the winter carried on the breeze.

That's the first version, the fear version. This is the upside version:

1. Arsene signs Xabi Alonso, a central defender and another central midfielder (Inler) before Monday.
2. Cesc returns and stays fit all season; his partnership with Alonso becomes the best in the Premier League.
3. Djourou emerges as Gallas's best defensive partner, stablising the defence. Gallas learns from last year. Silvestre turns out to be an astute squad signing, giving the opportunity for Clichy to be rested. Song provides excellent cover in central midfield.
4. Vela and Bendtner emerge as the best strike partnership at the club, and play an increasingly important role as the season goes on. Adebayor finally finds some form after Christmas, propelling Arsenal back into the title mix.
5. Arsenal qualify for the knockout stages in the Champions League, but go out to Chelsea in the quarters (who win it).
6. The reserves finally win the Carling Cup, beating Aston Villa in the final.
7. Arsenal finish third again. Spurs are relegated.
8. Arsene resigns.

What?! I really do feel the endgame is near; if not this year, then next, or perhaps the year after. But soon, sooner than we think - and sooner than most of us would wish.