Citeh Sent Packing

Restricted as I was to the ATVO offering and a quick look at the highlights later I am hardly in a position to offer a fair appraisal of last night’s performance.

The important thing is that the three points were secured and our free-scoring midfielders, Cesc and Tomas, scored for the seventy-second game in a row. (OK, the first seventy may have been on FIFA 07).

The side even felt sufficiently ashamed about not gifting the opposition their customary opening goal that they opted to compensate them with a soft equaliser. Apparently that led to some discontent in Ashburtons plush seats before Cesc calmed the nerves.

The clinching goal will have done no harm to the confidence of creator Hleb, and scorer Baptista. If they were to repeat that particular act at White Hart Lane on Saturday it would go a long way to securing favourable comment from their detractors.

The worst case finish for the Gunners would require either Everton or Bolton to win their final four games. Both still have to visit Chelsea and Everton also have Manchester United at home, so to my mind we are now one win away from the Champions League next season.

Away from the pitch it was interesting to see the Chairman assure us that Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith have no intention of selling their shares, and our heritage, to the Colorado raider. That puts the spotlight firmly on David Dein. Interesting.

From tomorrow it will be time to build up to this seasons trip to N17. Our friends in the north are desperate for points to claim a return entry to Europe’s equivalent of the Johnstone Paints Trophy. We could do the Arsenal Old Boys (Portsmouth) a power of good by taking the points back down Seven Sisters Road. Can’t wait!