Arsenal Opinion

I sat, well up in the dizzying heights of the emirates stadium, looming over the Tottenham supporters below dropping my arm toward them like a guillotine screaming ‘who are ya? Who are ya?’

Over fifty-five thousand of my favourite people in the world crying out with me in the thralls of victory, the smell of success abound, the look of dismay evident of the spuds below.

The atmosphere inside the emirates was electric, the Tottenham fans knew (if they hadn’t already when they crawled from whatever hovel they were living in that morning) that they were away to their great rivals, the mighty Arsenal.

It must be something like having an older, better looking, more respected brother, whose shadow you constantly find yourself walking in.

Robbie Keane’s comments in the week about Tottenham being as strong as Arsenal were put under the coldest of lights as Cesc Fabregas slammed home a great goal, seconds after Robin Van Persie had lit the fuse of the Arsenal fans with a snappy goal.

I hugged the Arsenal supporter next to me, unaware of his name having only exchanged pleasantries minutes earlier, it didn’t matter. Every single person in that ground was united on Saturday afternoon.

The gulf in class appeared wider than ever, even with players like Rosicky and Walcott injured.

Arsenal at times were scrappy, and the home fans began to feel this could be a tight thing before Robin Van Persie decided it was time for the team to move out of third gear and leave the Yids a quivering wreck having suffered a quick goal and an explosion of noise from the supporters.

Cesc Fabregas heaped on the misery and the scenes from inside the toilets, betting kiosk and eating areas at half time was one of jubilance and song.

We did much more than simply give the Yiddos a good old-fashioned whipping on Saturday however. We showed ourselves to be real title contenders, able to demolish a team that in many people’s eyes are top four contenders.

Solid performances were abound throughout the team and in truth; the score should have been at least double the final result. Eduardo alone should have bagged a hat-trick!

Arsenal however look a terrifying prospect for any team at the moment, but we need to focus on the game against Chelsea at the end of November. Win that, and we could easily be leading the pack come Christmas.

And with Chelsea losing several key players to the African Cup in January, Manchester United looking flat and Liverpool providing the comic relief this year, we are in with a very, serious shout.

But enough drooling and fantasising. My score for the players on Saturday.

• Almunia – 7.5 – Didn’t have an awful lot of taxing work. But when he was called upon looked good. Seemed as if he were laying claim to that No. 1.
• Clichy – 7.5 – A more attacking game from Gael. But most certainly picked up his game today.
• Vermaelen – 8 – This guy is insane, made about five tackles in a row before being unfairly booked. Already a real favourite, judging from the chatter in the ground. An absolute machine!
• Gallas – 8 – Clearly enjoys life with the Verminator, both were solid and gave Keane and Crouch nothing.
• Sagna – 7.5 – Gave relief and pace down the right. Whipped in some excellent balls and is having a great season so far.
• Diaby – 6 – Most of the groans from the fans came from Diaby mistakes. Still ‘hogs’ the ball for far too long and makes rash decisions and frequently misplaces passes. But the will does seem there. Almost like the spirit is strong but the flesh weak.
• Fabregas – 8 – Rough opening but quickly grabbed hold of the tempo and dictated to Tottenham. Fantastic run for the second goal and made some eye-watering passes.
• Song – 7.5 – Solid. A bit too rough on occasion but I’m not complaining, he’s been one of those players that’s made the difference this year.
• Arshavin – 7 – Not the greatest of displays and had a couple of chances I thought he’d bury. Tottenham however frequently went from white to brown when he was on the ball. He seems to already have a menace about him in the premier league that veteran players would kill for.
• Bendtner – 7 – Unfortunately injured but looked like one of the best out there for the short duration he played. Held the ball and picked out good passes.
• Van Persie – 9 – Great game for the Dutchmen. A brace and always a threat, star player for me today.

Great win, bragging rights are ours. Now let’s press on, Carling Cup at Eastlands and continue to storm through the premiership!

Article written by Super Cesc.