Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see this one, but from all I’ve read so far… it was a walk-in for the Gunners. Rosicky put them ahead at 7′, then Cesc & Eduardo each found the net within the last 8 minutes of time. With a 5-0 aggregate, I’d say this was a pretty easy qualifier to get into the Group Stage for the 10th consecutive year.

I don’t know about you, but I’m really enjoying the progress of the team this year. And they say this is a transition year? Then I can’t wait to the Arsenal firing all cylinders if this isn’t it.

Whatever formula has been working for Manchester City thus far was not in evidence yesterday at Emirates Stadium.

The game seemed to go their way for the first 20 minutes, when Arsenal just took control and relentlessly charged upfield. Man City made a few nail biting runs at our goal a few times, but were mostly contained by the back line. We were frustrated on all attempts, even a penalty kick by RVP, by the amazing goalkeeping of Kasper Schmeichel. Schmeichel even managed to come down field and attempt a header on Almunia near the end, but it caromed off Bianchi and Almunia handled it nicely. Manuel Almunia did just as well as Schmeichel, in for the injured Jens Lehmann, making a few gorgeous saves and keeping the clean sheet for us. Finally, a nice flick past two defenders up the right by Alexandre Hleb set Cesc Fabregas up at 80′ for an absolute rocket of a ball which went right between Schmeichel’s hands and found the nylon. Emirates erupted. Simply gorgeous football.

Many of the players looked fantastic yesterday. It was great seeing Tomas Rosicky in there again. He had several nice attempts on goal. Alex Hleb looked terrific, as did Fabregas, Toure, et al. Sagna was doing well, but went off early with what appeared to be a back injury. Robin Van Persie was doing well but seemed to be frustrated up front by the Man City backline. And Emmanuel Adebayor, who we know is capable of great things, didn’t seem ready to be in there on his first game back from injury. At least not for 75 minutes. I was ready for Eduardo or Bendter after 55 minutes. There were several balls set up for Ade that probably should have been run down and shot, but he couldn’t get there. Eduardo came in for him at around 76′, I think. He looked good, although at times he seemed hesitant, where a bit more conviction would probably get him through. He’s still getting his bearings in English Football, so I’m pretty confident he’ll just get better and better.

Overall… tough, but great performance from the Gunners. Simply fantastic to watch this kind of football. They just kept fighting until the end and it paid off. Great work, fellows.

What an all-out tussle, huh? You might say that the match got just a bit physical at times, no? Just a bit?

Holy crap, I can’t believe there was only one red card handed out. It seemed at any moment we’d see an all out roadhouse brawl. For a minute, I thought I was mistakenly watching a replay of that mess that was the Galaxy/Red Bull match from Saturday night. But then I saw players who actually know how to pass the ball and I came to my senses. 9 sloppy goals?! Don’t get me started… I’ll post on that spectacle another time. But, getting back to Ewood Park, I think we have a genuine rivalry between these two. If there wasn’t one before, there certainly is now. This animosity that comes from Rovers… it must certainly derive from the 6-2 bitchslapping they received last Boxing Day at the hands of the Arsenal, no? Or perhaps, the 5 goals we used to bounce their over-physical asses out of the FA Cup? I’m just not sure. But wherever it comes from, it’s there now. I think I like it. And, although I’m in no rush this season, I just can’t wait for February 9, when they come to the Emirates.

Although, I’m a bit concerned about everyone’s favorite Rover. Robbie? Mr. Savage? Are you ok? That was quite a nasty spill you took… oh, where was it… that’s right, in the penalty box the first time you got near it. Of all places for that to happen. Such poor luck. It looked as if one of our wily defenders got an entire toe on your foot, causing you to go down in a crumpled heap. I’ve never seen your hair so messy… how embarrassing. Will you make it to February 9 injury free? I certainly hope so. And please do be more careful, as we’re all looking forward to seeing you at the Emirates this winter so you can cheap shot our players some more. In the meantime, please accept your second Pink Card in less than a year for being a diving, cheating bitch. Enjoy!

Jens Lehmann: One other thing… give Jens a break. He’s a world class keeper who’s having a rough spell. It happens. Yeah, it sucks that it cost us 2 points, and I suppose we’ll see where those 2 points land us at the end of the year. But, I think he can turn it around.

Ok, Fox Soccer Channel. I have two more slight beefs to bring up with you. I dig the Super Sunday+ show, but… can we leave Christian Miles at the news desk on Match Day and just have the two Brits duking it out? Christian’s great, in a Bob Costas kind of way, but he seems out of place in the pseudo pub atmosphere you’re going for there. And, make the set a bit darker. It looks like they’re in someone’s self-made and poorly lit basement bar.

Also, I love Fox Football Fone-In, especially since Nick Webster replaced Nick Geber. Geber wasn’t bad, and he definitely knows his football, but he always just seemed annoyed to be there. Anyway… I get the feeling Steven runs that show anyway. So, can you tell ol’ Steve that he’s not going to get away with waiting until the last 20 minutes of a 2 hour show to start talking about the English Premier League? I really appreciate their efforts to promote soccer in the U.S., I do… despite the thinly veiled smirks between them, as if they’d rather be talking about anything else. So, then why bother? Just get to talking about what people want to hear your expert opinions on: The Prem! I suspect all the American soccer talk is being forced upon them by Fox, but if so they need to push back a bit. Remind the suits upstairs that we’re not there yet in the U.S., and having increased EPL coverage will help that cause.

A resounding win for the Arsenal in the Champions League. Two valuable away goals will almost certainly seal an overall win over Sparta Prague when they come to the Emirates for the second leg in two weeks.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the game from here, but followed along as best as I could online. I get the feeling we were getting a bit bossed around in the first half, although there was no score. Hats off to the Gunners back line for that, and a few gorgeous saves from our German Madman Jens. Well deserved clean sheet, boys. Things picked up in the second half, and at 72′ Gael Clichy simply eviscerated the Prague back line and sent a beautiful cross in front of Cesc Fabregas for an easy goal. Well done, Gael & Cesc!

And it appears our man Alex is on a bit of a tear lately, does it not? In an impression of the first goal, Bacary Sagna and Alex Hleb combined to put another one past the Prague keeper in injury time to seal the win and get us that all important second away goal. It seemed as though Jens and Bacary had that one all planned out, as Jens quickly whipped the ball past most of Prague to Bacary, who then brought it up the left and slid it over to Hleb. The touch on the ball by Hleb was perfect, just enough to roll it past the keeper on the right. It’s good to see Bacary coming up like this. He’s looking really good so far. And Alex… I really like him in this new role, I have to say. Perhaps all this time he’s been a closet Striker who only thinks he’s an Attacking Midfielder? Once Adebayor gets healthy, it’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out. Will Le Boss have them work together, cover each other… who knows? But our options up front don’t look nearly as dire as some predicted in the pre-season when we didn’t splash the huge cash. A very solid start to the year.

And, I have to add this… is it me, or do the Arsenal players just ooze class? From Cesc immediately acknowledging Gael’s effort to get the first… to Bacary running up and lifting Hleb off his feet for the second, and then being jumped on by the rest of the team for his part in the goal. It just seems like the team is getting on quite well. It’s a good sign.