The last 10 minutes made up for the first 80 minutes. And man… the first 80 minutes were hard to watch. Very frustrating seeing our boys flop about like that. Our beautiful flowing game was only seen in glimpses. I know it was only Wigan, as some people say, but they are a team that has something to prove to the new boss, and I knew they weren’t just going to roll over. Who in the Premier League does? After 30 minutes I had this sinking feeling that we might wind up nil-nil. But as they’ve shown time and time again… it ain’t over until it’s over.

Despite the depleted side, the Gunners dug deep to find their game and make it all happen in the end. After 83 minutes of pure frustration, they ricocheted the ball around for a bit up the left, looking like their old selves, then got the ball out wide right to Bacary Sagna who put a picture perfect cross in front of William Gallas (recently made more aerodynamic and vertically stabilized with that bad ass new haircut) who headed home to break the stalemate. For some reason, it felt as though that was the precise moment that William truly became a Gunner. I know he’s been here for a while and he’s the captain and all. But that goal seemed to put him firmly and inextricably within the fold. He’s not Bill from Chelski anymore. He’s William The Conqueror and he’s all Arsenal.

Well, then Wigan had to attack. Poor bastards. And I knew all game that if they had the testicular fortitude to open up and play forward, even a depleted Arsenal side would make them pay… and we did. The 7′9″ Nick Bendtner broke free, had himself a fun time threading his way through pretty much all of Wigans midfield and back line, and then flipped a nice pass out to Tomas Rosicky who took a touch and then clanged one in off the far post for the deal sealer. Beautiful work on both their part. All who were out there did quite well, but I can’t help wonder how they game would have went if the squad that ended the game had been the one who started. But, I do not question Le Boss within his hearing, lest he turn a disdainful nostril in my direction.

Ahhh, the Prem is back. International break sucks, have I said that before? Well, I suppose I might have. But it does. Oh, and Man U got beaten by Bolton. Bol-ton. And Man City were held to a draw. What a great fucking weekend.