As I was saying on Saturday, I had to miss the live broadcast of the match on Saturday evening as I was out with Jo and her friends, Jen and Chris. We met in Camden and went to a pub on the Lock for a drink whilst we decided where we would go to eat. As it invariably does when we get together, the prospect of Wagamamas came up and I said something like "If it's good enough for Thierry Henry, it's good enough for me" (I seem to remember Thierry frequenting the Camden branch whilst still at Arsenal, though it might have been Miso). Jen's response to this was brilliant,

"Is he the new rapper?" 

Aw, bless. Jo and I soon disabused her of that notion.

I didn't fancy being in the position of waiting to watch the game, sitting down to watch it, seeing Arsenal go 2-0 up only to blow it again- so I was a bit preoccupied with my phone for a while. Long enough to establish that Arsenal were 3-0 up and pretty much home and hosed. So, with only a few drinks inside me, once Jo and I got home, I stuck the football on. And Jo told me I had an hour to watch it.

Thank God for V+, much of the first half passed by at 2x or 6x the speed of a normal game (thank God again that we weren't at our imperious best, it'd have sent me dizzy). I couldn't really tell you what was going on, but the ball did seem to be down our end a lot. Is that how I saw it? Or have I been influenced by what I have read of the game since? Maybe. Anyway, it seems that once the own goals had happened- the second one coming from good work by Ramsey and Eduardo, we pretty much played the game we wanted to play.

If the opening goals, though, owed something to fortune, the third goal was a thing of beauty. Of course, this is just how we do, but nonetheless, from Bac Sagna's play down the right (is Eboue really better going forward? Really?) to RvP's "wall" pass to Cesc's clinical finish, well, it was just precision play. Arshavin's second half goal, returning Wayne Hennessey's flappy punch with interest, was a little snapshot of the quality that he possesses.

After that, it seemed like one way traffic and- yet, again- it really should have been more than four- RvP went round to keeper but onto his "chocolate" leg, so missed his opportunity to shoot before being crowded out and Rosicky shot over after some lovely interplay. There was one more goal though, as Jody Craddock headed home a last minute consolation for the home side and their "loyal supporters".

I know these goals are but footnotes at this stage of the game, but I'm getting a bit annoyed at our seeming inability to keep a clean sheet- although it goes without saying if we win every game between now and May 4-1, we're not just going to be Champions, we're going to be the highest scoring Champions in history. Obviously, we're not going to be able to keep that  rate up, so maybe I should just enjoy the goals whilst they last. It's a point not lost on Cesc Fabregas who, in his characteristic feet on the ground fashion, acknowledges that we are bound to go through a period where the goals will dry up and then we'll be back in "crisis" mode again.

The media thing is weird, though. We are second in the table, 5 points behind Chelsea with a game in hand and a home against them to come at the end of the month. Yet, we're still being essentially ignored as title contenders. It seems to me that we need to beat a team like Chelsea to be taken seriously and I look at that Chelsea team, a team that has lost to Wigan and to Aston Villa and I think "Why not?" Why can't we beat Chelsea? No reason at all, with the quality we have in our squad now. 

Speaking of Chelsea, I was most amused to see Darren Fletcher blaming Arsène Wenger for the attention he is now attracting from referees- this, of course, resulted in the award of a free kick at the Bridge yesterday which gave Chelsea their winning goal. Well, Darren, if the ref had done his job properly a couple of months back, perhaps our manager wouldn't have needed to say anything bout you. It's just dawned on me that this has actually backfired on us, as RvP admitted, the draw would have been the result we were looking for yesterday- shut it boss! We've suffered with this ourselves, we haven't had a penalty since that Celtic game and Eduardogate, despite some very good shouts.  What goes around, comes around.

It also ocurred to me earlier, we like to moan about the international breaks, but- even on this brilliant run we're on at the moment, given that November is indeed the month of doom, should we not be grateful for the fact we now have a two week respite? Of course, we've got an intense week when we come back from it, with little time between a trip to Sunderland for which we will have minimal preparation, a home game in the Champions League and then that game against Chelsea.

Hopefully, Alex Song will come back to us in one piece and manage not to get booked against Sunderland (if selected) because that will mean him missing the Chelsea game. I'm very pleased that Aaron Ramsey got a start on Saturday- and did well, by all accounts, but the idea of Abou Diaby, injured again, filling the holding role against Chelsea scares me a little. We may have Denilson and Theo available by then, let's hope we haven't lost anyone else in the meantime.

As Arsenal move ever deeper into the month of November, such is the quality at Arsène Wenger's disposal that even with ten members of the first team squad- yes Liverpool fans, we are also minus ten at the minute- missing in action, we don't seem to have been unduly disrupted. I say "don't seem", of course what I actually mean is that we haven't been disrupted at all. 

One of my favourite moments of the Alkmaar game, apart from the delicious football, was the sight of Andrey Arshavin trotting off to be replaced by Tomas Rosicky, who joined Samir Nasri in midfield. The manager is looking for Nasri and Rosicky to energise what could become a jaded midfield this month. With Theo Walcott and Denilson expected to return after the international break, the options for the manager are extensive. It even looks to me like, whisper it, Cesc Fabregas- perhaps not in the form he's in now- would not be missed if he was unavailable for any time. Not that I would want that to happen, you understand. But even without him you could have a midfield of Song, Rosicky and Nasri."The Legend" Rachid has a dream of seeing a midfield containing Cesc, Rosicky, Arshavin and Nasri. We may not be far away from that scenario, although I don't think we'll be seeing it tomorrow.

Staying with the manager, he has hailed RvP as the best striker in the league, citing his link up play as the winning factor. I think that if the manager had Didier Drogba, then perhaps he'd be calling that cheat the best striker in the league. But he doesn't, even if he did it would be understandable. I don't know if I'd pick Robin above a striker like Drogba or Torres, but one thing is clear, the improvements he has made this season and his current form, do demand a touch more recognition than he has been shown. One football website highlighting the fact that whilst Rooney and Drogba were lauded for their performances in their sides victories at the weekend and Torres was lauded for being, well, Torres, Robin's matchwinning display in the NLD was ignored by the MotD team. Actually, you could make a case that Arsenal's performance in that match was basically ignored by MotD,  what with it being 4th on the bill. Which is fair enough, but one wonders where the Lineker fronted programme would have placed it had Tottenham managed to change the habit of a century.

Annnnyway.

I mentioned Cesc earlier and he was one man who was clearly not going to get carried away with one of the most breathtaking expositions of Arsènal style on Wednesday night. It was quite a funny interview post match as whoever interviewed him was obviously trying to draw him into the kind of statement that saw Robbie Keane's ugly face covered in eggs last week- I will stop mentioning that eventually, I promise- but Cesc was having none of it. To the point where I was sitting there willing him to crack a smile. I don't know how many of you saw it, but I do agree with the sentiment, "Nothing is done now, we will talk when we win something". That kind of attitude might guarantee the growing feeling that something special might just be around the corner in N5. It is also the attitude that the captain will be leading his team out in Wolverhampton tomorrow night with, which will hopefully guarantee that we avoid any Stoke style surprises and climb ever closer to the Premier League summit. 

Mick McCarthy reckons Wolves are going to have a go at us, citing the manner of our setruction of Alkmaar as evidence that it's pointless trying to stop us in such a negative fashion. Whilst I welcome that as a refreshing change in attitude from a manager at the wrong end of the table, I do wonder if that's influenced by the fact his team will be at home and whether he might rethink closer to kick off. Either way, I say bring it on.

With much of the team news available today already covered in my blog yesterday, today's looks like being an Arse.com extravaganza ahead of the visit of AZ Alkmaar tonight.

With Keiran Gibbs coming into the team in place of the injured Gael Clichy, the boss has been talking about the young Englishman and how well he played in the aftermath of his slip in the Champions League semi final. Apparently, Keiran was set to be more involved in first team action over the coming weeks with the boss looking to rotate him with Clichy anyway. With Armand Traore, according to the extensive Arse.com injury update, due back in training from tomorrow, the situation is simply that Traore will now provide the rotation for Gibbs that Gibbs was due to provide Clichy. I wonder, though, whether Traore will be exposed as much as Gibbs would have been? There again, Traore had a season of first team football with Portsmouth last year, so Clichy's injury is a good opportunity for him as well as Keiran.

I'm sure Arsenal's current injury woes- ten first squad members are currently unavailable (did you know that, Robbie?)- were on Arsène's mind when he talked about the nightmare before Christmas that is also known as the month of November and the volume of games that coincide with the football season's transition from the late autumn sunshine and green pitches to the wintery chill enveloping various mud filled, potholed football pitches up and down the country. Although, not ours of course. Is it a coincidence that this month is traditionally the one that has us all scared to check the results on a Saturday/Sunday evening? Does the boss subconciously transmit his fear and loathing of November to the players?

That's enough film references for one paragraph, I guess.

I saw the boss talking about "Silent" Stan and the increasing volume of shares in his possession yesterday. Well, I say talking, what he said was pretty simple really. As long as his technical vision for the club is not interfered with, the ownership of the club doesn't really concern him. I guess some bloggers might take that as Arséne aggressively defending his territory, but what else is he supposed to say? You might not be surprised to hear that I agree with him.

He also took time to thank Alex Ferguson for the Manchester United manager's personal intervention regarding the obscene chants directed at our main man and the letters to be sent to Manchester United supporters. He didn't question, though I wonder, if the letters are to be sent by horseback?

Of course, tonight's game sees the return of Ronald Koeman, a man with very happy memories of north London- whether as a manager, knocking Arsenal out of the Champions League with a late Alex goal in 2007; or as a player, scoring the winning goal for Barcelona as they won the first of their three *sob* European Cups back in the early 90's. He comes here, though, under no illusion about the size of the "difficult" task in front of him. Especially as his team will have to contend with the man Koeman believes to be Holland's best, I'm not talking about Nacer Barazite either. With le boss talking up Robin's increased maturity, the player himself has been talking about how he is enjoying his new role. It seems to me that these are the keys to his success so far this season, I guess it isn't rocket science, but becoming the main man seems to have been the making of him.

Despite Robin's excellent form over the last month, though, the honour of being voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Month has fallen to club captain Fabregas. He's probably earnt it on the basis of that inspirational performance against Blackburn, though his goal on Saturday won't have hurt him either.

Of course, it was Robin and Cesc who combined for the opening goal in Holland two weeks ago, so Alkmaar know all about the difficulties of containing those two. If they can manage that, then they will have to worry about an Andrey Arshavin who hasn't seemed entirely happy over the last few weeks and an Eduardo who hasn't quite clicked into his clinical gears just yet. At least, with Bendtner on the sidelines for a month, I assume it will be Eduardo starting tonight. The inclusion of a clinical finisher as opposed to a trier who runs up and down a lot but ultimately achieves very little seems the obvious thing to do against a coach who likes to contain.

Enjoy the game, wherever you are. 

How absolutely lovely to be able to bring you post number 300 of Gillespie Road still basking in the afterglow of the smackdown handed out to our local "rivals" on Saturday afternoon.

I belatedly watched MotD last night and was surprised, or was I, to see no mention of David Bentley's lucky escape either in commentary, or what passed for analysis afterwards. I thought Hansen's assertion that Arsenal are superior to Tottenham only 1-11 is not even close to the truth. And that showed on Saturday afternoon. Though to be fair, given Liverpool's ongoing travails, perhaps his mind is on other things at present. To sum up, don't give it the big one about the strength of your squad and then cite injuries when you get bitch slapped- that's what the squad is for.

Harry Redknapp has made an even bigger arse of himself than Robbie Keane did by complaining about one Arsenal fan and his language on Saturday afternoon.  Did you read that right? Yes, you did. One Arsenal fan upset him, but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. When you consider the abuse that Arsène Wenger takes as a matter of routine at the Lane, then perhaps Harry, like Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United are doing, should attempt to address the problems they have whenever we go there before sounding off about our supporters and their conduct.

Okay a few of us Arsenal fans had to nudge Manchester United in the right direction, but at least they now seem to be promising some action against supporters who continue their vile abuse, rather than just saying they've tried to do something.

At this point, I guess I should say- just in case you're wondering, and you might not be, but I need to get it off my chest anyway- this post would have been with you at lunchtime, or just afterwards- were it not for a return to work today that included a noon meeting with my capo di tutti capo- no, not Randall the very quiet Spurs season ticket holder and a 2pm team meeting. I nearly managed to squeeze the blog in between them, in fact, I did. But as I went to hit "Publish", for some reason the mouse found "Search" instead and I lost half of the blog. Shall I blame 4 ours sleep or a dodgy mouse? Anyway, rather than try and salvage it at work, I decided to come home early and finish undisturbed. At least, until la Ryan gets in.

Where was I?

Oh yes, Tottenham Hotspur and the utter tosh coming out of Harry Redknapp's mouth. It's a shame that the Online Gooner hasn't yet updated to the new print issue, all I'll say is, "This guy can lie".

Now that the talking has been done on the pitch, Robin van Persie has chosen to do some off the pitch. After Saturday's win, he came out with a line that may go down as one of the all time classic Arsenal quotes,

"It always feels good to beat Spurs. It even feels good when we don't play them and they get beaten, so it's especially good when we've played them."

Robin, until recently has been a source of frustration to this writer, but it's in lines like that you see how much this club means to him. In lines like that you can see the how DNA of the club (loathe as I am to bring such an issue up) has been passed down from the likes of Bergkamp and Henry to him. It doesn't take much to imagine these words coming out of either Dennis or Thierry's mouths in years gone past. In fact, it doesn't take much to imagine either of them saying it now, which is why they are still revered as Arsenal legends. Well, that, and the not insignificant contributions made to this club's recent past. According to the boss, that's not all RvP shares with the two either.

When he talks like that about a player, it shows you why he is a football manager and the rest are just writers. The obvious, logical thing to do was to play Bendtner through the centre and Robin right, right? Wrong. RvP's technique and intelligence has allowed him to flourish as the central striker in a way I never thought possible. And full credit to him for that, he's been inspirational of late and long may it continue.

One place it seems certain not to continue, despite the player's wishes expressed on Saturday night, is the Carling Cup quarter final at Middle Eastlands. I don't think you have to be a mind reader to work out what's on Robin's radar when he says he would "love to play" in that game. I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to surmise that, as the club's top scorer this season, he's unlikely to get his wish.

Another person wishing is Emmanuel Eboue- he's wishing on a star. No, not really, but he is apparently hoping to play for PSG one day. I'm not too sure what's prompted this none too subtle "come and get me" plea. Is it the fact that it is they and they alone who have room in their line up for a winger with no end product? Are they promising to make him first choice right back? Or is it just that he fancies the idea of Paris? I imagine that, for a French speaker, it would be ideal. I think, in all seriousness, he's never going to be more than Bac up to Sagna (sorry) and that he knows, with the talent in the first team, and coming through the ranks, his days as part of the attacking triumvirate are numbered. Would it be hypocritical of me to admit I'd be sorry to see him go? Sorry, that is, unless we got offered like ten million euros. Then, I'd get over it pretty quickly.

I mentioned Robin's similarities to Thierry Henry- without the searing pace, obviously- earlier and I'd like to close by making the observation that another player invoked memories of TH14 on Saturday. Cesc Fabregas' run through what passed for the Tottenham defence might not win the goal of the season award, but I bet when Thierry sees it, if he hasn't already, will be having flashbacks to that memorable day in 2003. It's so good to see that where we once had Robert and Thierry, we now have Robin and Cesc to torture the ones who shall be forever in our, long, shadow.

Before we go any further, I'd just like to tell you- dear reader- that I don't feel very well today and that may affect the quality of today's blog. So, you know, you can choose to stop reading here or you can take a gamble and come with me on a (hopefully) magical mystery tour of the contents of my Arsenal fuelled mind. I don't know what's going to happen today, but I do know that I have given you fair warning.

It occurs to me today, indeed it occurs to me quite often, how lucky we are to have Arsène Wenger in charge. Some of you reading this will not like being reminded of it, so far we may seem from getting back to scaling such lofty peaks again, but when Mr Wenger had the temerity to suggest his Arsenal side was capable of going a season unbeaten in the autumn of 2002, he was laughed at. He was laughed at by most of the media, I'm sure there were many rival fans, even Arsenal fans, who thought he was mental and Football365 produced their famous "Comical Wenger t-shirt". Of course the t-shirt was made even more famous 18 months later when Arsène was walking around the Highbury pitch, soaking up the adulation as Arsenal did indeed complete the season as unbeaten Champions and spotted a fan with the t-shirt, which he was then presented with.

I mention this for two reasons, one is Diego Maradona's charmless outburst in front of the assembled media on qualifying for the World Cup Finals next summer.

"You lot take it up the arse... If the ladies will pardon the expression... people who have not supported me... can keep sucking."

I suppose that it was the Gob of God talking, as Maradona apparently grabbed his genitals before wandering off into the night. In some ways it would have been quite funny to see the boss react like that on that May day in 2004, although it certainly have been conduct unbecoming of an Arsenal manager. Satisfying himself with holding the t-shirt aloft as if it was his own personal trophy was more this wonderful man's style. 

The second reason I mentioned it, I guess, is to reiterate that in le boss we have a man who knows what he's doing, who is single minded of purpose and is capable of getting spectacular results. Even when it's most unexpected. But most of you reading this know that already.

Is it worth me even mentioning that Manchester City have been linked with a summer bid for Cesc Fabregas? Would that be the same Cesc Fabregas who just last summer described a possible move to Eastlands as "suicidal" for his football career? Well, just how many other Cesc Fabregases are out there with those from the Middle Eastlands watching his every move? Of course, Cesc- if he was to go and in my opinion there's no way he's going anywhere other than Catalonia when he leaves one day (when he's 35 and acheived all that he can with us)- wouldn't be the first footballer to change his mind. But when someone has the ability to analyse so intelligently why money is not the be all and end all of footballing success, it seems unlikely that one season is going to bring about a change of heart.

And, to quote Goodfellas's Paulie Cicero, "that's that".

Following his declaration of love for Tomas Rosicky on Arse.com yesterday, Cesc Fabregas has turned his admiring eye to the other Thomas, the man I believe will succeed him as club captain one day. Yes, the captain of Belgium and winner of the Arsenal Player of the Month award for September, is in line for a bit of back slapping today.

It's telling that Cesc spends most of his time lauding the Belgian's ability on the ball, describing him as "like one more midfielder". Obviously the Belgian can hit a ball, we've all seen that in the short time he's been with us, but it's his distribution from the back that gives those in midfield a bit of extra time on the ball that seems to be the main focus of appreciation. I guess it's a world away from those mindless long balls Kolo Toure used to hit and though Vermaelen shares Toure's predilection for bringing the ball forward, thus far it seems to be with much greater effect. The only downside to the Belgian's spectacular first two months with the club, and no new Arsenal signing has ever won the award in his first two months in the first team, is that it's difficult to see how things could possibly get any better for him.

Or is that a good thing?

Speaking of things getting better; Super Samir Nasri, conqueror of Manchester United just under a year ago, expects to be in contention for Arsenal's short trip across London to West Ham next weekend. Which definitely has to be a good thing. I think, as with Hleb before him, he divided opinions in his first season. For me, I saw a player with excellent ball retention skills and an eye for goal, albeit a player who was perhaps playing, to borrow a phrase from the manager "with the handbrake on". I think he had a good season and that was reflected when the AISA voted him third in their player of the season poll. But I think it's fair to expect more. Where he will fit in is food for thought, the manager was happy to play him as one of the defensive two behind Cesc as the season came to an end last year. Having started his Arsenal career as one of our wide options, it seems clear that, with the emphasis in midfield slightly altered, he provides an excellent alternative to either Rosicky or Cesc himself whilst also being able to play higher as part of the attacking three.

I'm looking forward to seeing him back.

Of course, one player who won't be coming back is my hero, Patrick Vieira. He ruled out a January move back to the Premier League and, I suppose, with our financial situation sure to have improved once more come summer, it's difficult to see why we'd go in for him in the summer. 

Once tonight is out of the way, we can look forward to a resumption of normal service and of course that begins with our first meeting with Birmingham City since Martin Taylor destroyed two years of Eduardo's career, Gael Clichy suffered seemingly the first in a long list of mental aberrations and Mike Dean- the referee that day- gave a soft penalty, the catalyst for collapse. I hope we kill them.

I just looked that up, by the way. Mike Dean, who'd have thought? So the man who turned down a stonewall penalty at Old Trafford for us just a couple of months back, before giving United a soft penalty the other way to deny us a just and righteous result has previous with us. We all remember the last minute penalty he gave against Clichy for his ball winning tackle, how many people remember the penalty he didn't give when Mr Adebayor's shirt was practically pulled off his back in that match? I don't like saying referee's are biased, but it seems to me that, er, Mike Dean may be biased indeed.

But I'm not bitter, oh no.

His mate Lee Probert, the 4th official on that farcicial afternoon in Manchester, will be the referee on Saturday. I'm sure I've said it before, but I don't think he's particularly competent either, so Saturday could be a bit of wild one.

I closed yesterday's blog talking about how anyone paying a visit to the Grove of late will have seen that Mr Gazidis is most definitely not all mouth and no trousers. The more astute amongst you may have noticed that I couldn't quite work out how to finish yesterday's blog and it just kind of ended, but that's not important right now.

When you go to the Grove on Saturday- I'm not, but I will be there for the Carling Cup game in two weeks- you will see a brand new mural embracing the stadium, it looks a little something like this:

As you can see, Dennis Bergkamp, Bob Wilson, Eddie Hapgood and Charlie George have joined Adams, Brady, Bastin and Henry in footballing, well Arsenal Stadium, immortality.

It's curious, I don't think anyone can dispute Bob Wilson's commitment to the Arsenal cause, having had the pleasure of meeting Bob I can personally say that not only would he bleed the proverbial red and white, but he is also a top man. But should he be on that wall instead of David Seaman, who served Arsenal for so long and with such success? There again, Dennis didn't feature on the first mural, did he? So perhaps there's time for old "Safe Hands" to take his place in the pantheon.

Elsewhere, not to dwell on it, but perhaps I was a bit harsh on Barcelona yesterday. Reading what their club and those associated with it went through under Franco, it certainly seems to me that if they are indeed "mes que un club", it's only because the Spanish authorities treated them so. Us Gooners have a bit of a persecution complex when it comes to referees, right? Well Barcelona once lost a match to Real Madrid 11-1. It was a game they went into for fear of their very existences, harshly treated by referees, constantly barracked by a partisan crowd and so they gave up trying when Benito was sent off for nothing more than being a bit of a star.

Reading further, it pleased to me to note that they lost out on Alfredo Di Stefano by trying to "lowball" his club. Though the fact that they lost out to Real Madrid I like less. Negotiations went on for ages until Madrid stepped in and well... the rest is history. So, despite continued pressure, Barça were unable to land their man. This didn't, however, stop the local press jumping the gun in announcing Di Stefano as a done deal. Old habits die hard... So, where yesterday, I was quite accepting of Arsenal and indeed Cesc Fabregas' fate, it now seems to me that when he goes, it will be under the best possible circumstances for this football club.

And I wonder too, if Cesc might not fancy doing something to render himself an Arsenal immortal before he leaves? The man himself is doing his utmost to render such talk premature, as it undoubtedly is, whether that's through his actions on the football pitch or in his public declarations. In celebrating his great mate Rosicky's return to the first team, he- consciously or not- echoes his manager in talking up the team spirit and saying this,

 "It's great to have him in the team; he's like a new signing."

Is that an early bid to be the man who replaces the boss when he eventually departs? Not likely, I think. I also think the boss has it spot on by saying he will not be the one to name his successor, but it's a measure of the influence Arsène has had at the club that such a story could even be considered as news. As he says himself, it's not his job- so why would he do it? There are those out there, no doubt, who feel the boss has had too much influence as it is. It seems to me that, as sad as the day will be when it comes, the best thing for everyone will be a clean break and a new start.

But we shouldn't have to think about that for a while yet and yes, I am assuming it's just a coincidence that this story, which prepares the psychological landscape for his eventual departure , comes justa day or two after Gazidis' "Second place is not good enough" rallying cry...

Hasta mañana (with apologies for the Barcelona diversion).

Headphones on, work colleague blanked out, it's time to resume this crazy little blog we call TFGR...

How was your weekend anyway? Apart from a curry with Jo and friends on Friday night, I did very little indeed. And it felt great. So little did I do that I didn't even find out about England's result until Sunday afternoon. I think I was watching the snooker by then.

So, what have I missed in my weekend disconnected from any football news? Well, it seems that Txiki Begiristan really has developed tourettes, or perhaps he's going senile and has forgotten that he has already stated his belief that Cesc will one day ply his trade in the stadium called Camp Nou. That he has chosen to stir this particular pot as Cesc is excused from international duty to be with his ill grandfather seems a touch unfortunate though. I mentioned last week that I'd begun reading the Barça book by Jimmy Burns and it seems to me that this "Mes Que un Club" bollocks, yes, we'll call it what it is, has given those who run the Catalan club the belief that in being more than a club, they are also above the rules.

Is that a bit simplistic? Perhaps, but my sense is that those who are employed by Barcelona, those who support the club, the famous cules, are so imbued with the significance of the club in representing the unrecognised nation of Cataluña, that they can't possibly understand why someone wouldn't want to play for them. Much less a local lad trained by FC Barcelona.

Of course, as Arsenal Truth has noted, Arsenal haven't helped themselves in this situation. So willing have we been in the past to sell anyone, that the saying everyone has their price seems no truer than it is in London, N5. And to this end, I think we can reasonably expect Barcelona to unreasonably carry on and on and on (like Ariston) until Cesc dons the blaugrana shirt.

Another player subject to a rumour that you could say is becoming persistent is the French left back, Gael Clichy. He has moved to quell reports that he could be on his way to Real Madrid in the summer by saying he is focused on Arsenal "at the moment". Now, there was a time when I think we'd have all been sorry to see Clichy go, and perhaps that time is still upon us, but Clichy has been very in and out with his performances for some time. More than that, as our season petered out in the springtime, the emergence of Keiran Gibbs as a viable challenger for the left back slot gave us the very real (should that be Real?) prospect that not only could there be life after Clichy- it could even be better.

That being said, he is now the longest serving member of the first team squad, and is still of the boss' most trusted lieutenants. So, it's difficult to see him going anywhere just yet. Even with Armand Traore also on the scene.

Finally, for today, Ivan Gazidis has- somewhat bullishly, in my view- said that "second, third or fourth isn't good enough". That is, indeed, some statement of intent from the CEO. Whether it is posturing from the board remains to be seen, what will happen should we, for the fifth season in a row, come up short? Will the boss' head end up on the block? That seems unlikely, but it's good to hear the man at the top acknowledging, again, the importance of the fans to the club. Anyone who has visited the stadium recently can see that it's not an idea that Mr Gazidis is just paying lip service to either.

The culture of complacency at the club may be coming to an end.

My day, as I alluded to on Saturday afternoon, began unusually early for a visit to the Grove. Calculating the amount of time it would take to traverse the distance between the London boroughs of Bromley and Islington, we decided that the 12.12 train out from Grove Park would see us nicely into Estadio Emiratio with time to spare.

But we didn't reckon on the uselessness of South East trains (a recurring theme this morning, let me tell you), the uselessness of the Piccadilly Line, in its usual Arsenal are at home state- ie not working very well, Jo wanting a Frappuccino (so we got off at Angel rather than carrying onto Kings Cross, a move justified by said uselessness of Piccadilly Line, and finally, me deciding to stop for a can of lager as we wandered down Holloway Road. All said and done, we were outside the Grove about five minutes before kick off when we heard sustained and quite loud applause. Ah! For the beloved manager I thought.

By the time we made our way round to block 22 and Jo decided she wanted a wee, the teams were about to enter the arena, so I went to find our seats, which were conveniently located next to the aisle and by the time she joined me, I had found out that the team I predicted here on Saturday afternoon was indeed the team beginning the game. The crowd seemed in good voice and despite the inconvenience of N'Zonzi beating Vermaelen to a massive Paul Robinson hoof and his header leaving Vito Mannone stranded from Blackburn's first... to call it an attack is being generous I think, but I suppose that is what it was, that didn't change. Even with the Blackburn fans who had bothered to make the journey cavorting around in the block to our right.

As Arsenal pressed for a quick response, Cesc nodded against the bar with a looping header and, coming forward seemingly at will seemed certain to be the man to make the difference in the match. You could almost say he was on a personal mission. Just past the quarter hour, with my neighbour back from the loos minutes earlier, Thomas Vermaelen strode forward, got fouled, got up, took a pass from Cesc and ripped the ball into the far corner of the goal below us. An absolute screamer from this season's top scorer, I think it was even better than the Wigan goal.

There were more chances, Cesc forcing Robinson into a parry low down that RvP was just a fraction slow in reacting to. So, it was somewhat surprising, irritating even, that the next goal came for t' Rovers. A long ball out of the back, Sagna and, on the far side, Clichy were not too interested in getting back, David Dunn shot, the ball flicked off the isolated Gallas' leg and wrongfooted Mannone to give the idiots the other side of the stewards more of a reason to jump around.

Not that that bothered Arsenal unduly. It seemed like seconds later as the stadium echoed to what seemed like the umpteenth rendition of "Stand up for the Arsenal" led by a Lewis Hamilton lookalike- was it Theo's younger brother?- that Cesc took a quick free kick to Diaby, back to Cesc and a lovely through ball that gave RvP all the time he needed to smash home our second equaliser of the game. And silence the bastards next to us. Not that they needed much help in that regard. An almost carbon copy of the movement for the second goal saw Arshavin played in, again by Cesc, and again the same result. With minutes to go till half time, the Gunners had finally hit the front.

"Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry" sang the crowd. "What the hell is going on?" thought I. When the DJ played the Thierry Henry song at half time, the penny began to drop. The great one had come to celebrate his mentor's 13 years at the club. It hit me this morning, when I saw a picture of him on the pitch before the game that that was the applause I'd heard outside the stadium. Colour me gutted.

But that was the only thing I had to be gutted about really. The second half began, as they tend to, with the players emerging and Cesc sharing a word with former Real Madrid defender, Michel Salgado. People may say Cesc was enquiring about life in Madrid, I think he's more likely to have been asking how a formerly great player has come to be sitting on the bench for a club like Blackburn Rovers.

Cesc got the goal that his performance demanded to kill the game off early in the second half, and it was a wonderful strike. Chesting a ball from Rosicky down, his half volley from the edge of the box found the top corner. He celebrated like a man possessed, even indulging in some badge kissing. For someone whose form was being questioned like a week ago, he's come back strong this week. Nine Arsenal goals, one goal, 6 assists and one "pass before the assist" represents quite some output from the little genius.

I think it was before that goal that Vermaelen may consider himself lucky not to have conceded a penalty. From where I was standing, er, sitting, it looked like he made a good tackle. But perhaps the foul had been just before.  Anyway, it wasn't given and there followed an almighty scramble of Arsenal boots trying and failing to clear before Clichy did what all good defenders need to do from time to time and smashed the ball up and away.

Once Mannone had made the kind of flying save I don't believe Almunia has in him anymore and Vermaelen made a good intervention with his head to flick a goalbound effort onto the post, that was pretty much Blackburn done.

But not us. It's fitting that as Arsène celebrates becoming the longest serving manager in our history, we marked the occasion with an Arséne kinda goal. Cesc passed to Arshavin inside our own half, the little Russian positively tore down our left, bringing fans to their feet as he passed them, before squaring the ball to Cesc. Cesc might have shot, but chose to touch the ball onto Walcott so perfectly that Theo lashed the ball past Robinson without breaking stride. My suspicion Thierry was in the ground confirmed by the big screen's shot of him applauding Walcott's goal.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Theo is back. With a vengeance.

He replaced Rosicky who might have completed a perfect day for the front three when his shot from the left flew narrowly wide in the second half. Bendtner then replaced Arshavin and Cesc exited stage left to a standing ovation, replaced by Aaron Ramsey. But this didn't affect the quality of the play. Ramsey was finding gaps throughout the Blackburn defence, a backheel from RvP might have allowed Bendtner to score. There was a wonderful move that culminated in Diaby shooting just wide. Theo was played in, and probably should have scored, the chance was cleared off the line, Paul Robinson made some great saves. But, as the ground began to empty- "Is there a fire drill?"- Nick Bendtner finished his week from hell with a goal straight out of Pro Evolution Soccer, collecting the ball on the left and, given all the time in the world, cutting inside before unleashing a ferocious drive that just caught the inside of the post as it flashed home.

Game. Set. And match. 

A fantastic end to a fantastic performance. People may say, yeah, but Arsenal always batter week teams at home. I don't think that's true and I don't think people should be looking to pick the bones out of what was a truly wonderful attacking performance. So Cesc abdicated his defensive duties? So what? I say. And so should everyone else after an attacking performance like that.

Reading Lady Arse's blog yesterday afternoon, it struck me that I had forgotten all about tickets for the Halloween encounter with Tottenham going on sale yesterday morning. With the carry on she suffered, it looks like it was a good thing I did. I have to say, though, that I decided I wasn't going to get tickets for the annual hate fest as Luke is quite keen to get together and watch the game- and let's face it, who couldn't do with an extra £135 in their pocket?

Speaking of things Tottenham, and Luke, we had a text exchange yesterday afternoon where Luke sided with Harry Redknapp in Ol' Twitch's opinion that Mr Adebayor did nothing wrong in celebrating as he did a few weeks back. Personally, in the light of news that Twitch's odd on being sacked have been cut right down form 50/1 to 2/1 overnight, I think he might want to concentrate on matters his side of the fence but even if you share Harry's opinion (and I'm sure most of you don't), as one writer on the Online Gooner pointed out, if Sol Campbell was to celebrate a goal by sliding to his knees in front of the Tottenham fans it can be fairly surmised that Redknapp would have something to say about that.

Incidentally, Randall reckons Harry's odds have been slashed as he is in fact actively pursuing the signing of one Sol Campbell. Which would be funny if it were true. Also, whilst on Harry, I'm reminded of Bill Bailey's Ferrero Rocher routine from years gone by... Ferrero Rocher the snack you can twitch to. Can you see where I'm going with this yet? Of course you can, let's move on.

In the gym last night, I caught a glimpse, whilst exercising my underworked pectorals, of a Thierry Henry goal against Liverpool in 2004 that basically won us the title (I know it didn't in literal terms and the great man had some things about another great man.

"I am happy to admit that if it wasn’t for Arsene Wenger I would not be where I am today... I’d love to go back some day.”

Some accolade from the man who has pretty much won all there is to win in the modern game. Though I have no idea how Thierry is planning on coming back to the club.

 If the ex captain feels that he owes much of his success to the manager, then the man who has eventually replaced him is of a similar opinion. Cesc picks up a theme from Thierry when he talks about the manager's desire for continuous improvement from his players. I think, in describing Wenger as "a God", he may be going a bit over the top. Nonetheless, in the face of another equivalent of a drunken pass in a nightclub from Barcelona's Xavi, it is good to hear Cesc saying,

"But I am the captain of Arsenal and I have a job to do here. Everyone has their own life and you do what you feel is better for you.

"Being at Arsenal is the best thing for me at the moment. I want to win things here and I'm very comfortable with Arsenal.

"I love London, it's a great city, it's like my house, it's really good.

"It is very important for a player to feel at home and I feel like that."

So put that in your pipe and smoke it, Xavi.

I wonder if it's a coincidence that just days after Myles Palmer, yes I'm still reading, confirmed his own story about Patrick Vieira returning to Arsenal in January, Vieira has raised the possibility of a January departure from the San Siro saying he needs rhythm. I think we could all do with some more rhythm in our lives, well I know I could. I'm sorry, but the idea of Patrick returning to fill the hole that Alex Song will leave in January makes me a little hard. Yes, it does.

And on that note...