Goonerholic

Well, for an hour or so yesterday the signs were not good. Another limited opponent was in danger of frustrating Arsenal at their new home and rather than witnessing the blunting of the Blades (sorry, but everybody else used that line in their previews!) the assembled throng were in fact doing quite the opposite. Knives were definitely being sharpened.

The qualities of William Gallas were never in doubt, but it must have come as a surprise, possibly to William himself, when ‘deadly volleying’ was added to the list, and sixty thousand chests exhaled a collective sigh of relief. When, fifteen minutes later, Henry climbed for a most unlikely far post header to register the Gunners third goal eyes were being rubbed all around Ashburton.

There are signs that Arsenal are developing the options that many have accused them of lacking in the early weeks of the season. The variety was evident in a second half performance yesterday, barely a week after the much-maligned 4-5-1 formation was turned into a thing of beauty at Old Trafford.

If one follows the belief that we are in a four way fight for the Premiership, then the next ‘big’ game will be against Liverpool in November. Before then we travel to Charlton, Reading, and West Ham, as well as entertaining Watford and Everton. Not a tricky little trip to our ‘bogeyland’ in the north-west in sight. Fifteen points from those five games might be a lot to ask for, but surely not beyond Premiership contenders.

The next six weeks or so will tell us a great deal about the prospects for the rest of the season. Let’s buckle up and enjoy the ride.