A Rare Scrappy Delight

SuperAboufragileBapandAliareatrocious! (Sorry about that, my sub-editor will be severely reprimanded).

The recent disappointments were, if not banished, certainly put to the back of the mind by the double triumph of last night.

Those who have wanted to see the Arsenal win ugly got as close as they are likely to get to their wish.

I had to chuckle at the people who bemoaned the fact that Abou Diaby's goal owed a great debt to Lady Luck. These were the same people who clamour almost daily that 'we need to shoot more, look at the number of goals Lampard gets from deflections'.

Sadly the striking partnership of Baptista and Aliadiere once again suggested that their spectacular coming together at Anfield in the Carling Cup quarter-final was just a false dawn. Aliadiere in particular squandered a couple of chances that could have made Villa's second half fightback a little less uncomfortable.

It was good to see Thomas Rosicky called on as a substitute. We will need him for the upcoming double visits to Merseyside where one has to assume we will need to do more than we did last night if we are to cement that third spot in the Premiership.

Three points are three points though, and the reclaimation of that third spot should lift spirits in and around the club. As indeed should the FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

Kieran Gibbs goal just before the hour mark gave the Gunners an advantage to take to Old Trafford. Even more astonishing was the record gate. 38,187 were at the Grove to cheer the kids on. That's only a thousand or so less than the Premiership gates at Villa Park and Eastlands, and nearly five thousand MORE than could be bothered to traipse along to White Hart Lane for a UEFA Cup tie.

So it's a good morning for once. The feel good factor may persuade me to reconsider my self-imposed ban on betting at Cheltenham. If there is any horse with a name that holds a slender link to Arsenal it will carry the 'Holic pound as an added handicap!