I didn’t get to see this one, but it looks like we had two nice goals from Abou Diaby and Niklas Bendtner. Diaby’s shot sounds like it was a header off yet another nice near-post cross from Bacary Sagna. Bac’s making quite a habit of putting those nice headable crosses in the box, isn’t he. And long tall Nik found net after a pass from RvP. Nik thinks he can find his way into the starting line up, and the more I see of him, the more I think he’s right. I hope he hangs in there to make it happen, because he’s playing great football.

This was a nice lift for the Gunners and a rest for others before the big match with Chelsea at Ashburton Grove this Sunday. I have trepidations with the amount of players on the medical bench, but we have some important ones back. Should be a great match.

Absolutely fucking woeful. That was just so hard to watch. Are we missing that midfield now? Damn straight. We are just not the same team without them. We’re good, and there are flashes of great play, but the continuity just isn’t there with so many starters on the touchline. But what can you do? Even the best teams have these moments. I’d be more upset if our starting crew were out there and lost, but it doesn’t feel so bad knowing we had so many on the bench. And, we’re still one fragile point ahead of Manchester United.

Steau Bucharest up next, then Chelsea. Heal boys… heal.

Everyone’s saying this was a point earned, not two dropped. I suppose that’s fitting, but it still sucks to come away with just a point from a side doing so fucking poorly lately. But, you have to expect a team to turn it up when the league leaders come to town. Arseblogger called them Newbolton, which I sniggered at quite a bit. That’s perfect, really. I was expecting to see Colonel Campo come charging up the field at any moment. You can’t take it away from Newcastle, though. They fought pretty damn hard and were creating chances. Fat Sam was jumping up and down like a fucking animal on the sidelines after their goal. Honestly, it looked a little forced to me. I guess he needs to put on a bit of a passion display to help stay the axe. Good luck there.

How about that goal from Emmanuel Adebayor, huh? That’s the second one this year we’ve seen him chest trap and whack out of the air to find nylon. Very nicely done, and between two defenders to boot. It’s just too bad he spent the rest of the game trying to get six more of those. Had he crossed to his support on a few of those break through runs, it might have been 1-3. Be yourself, Ade.

What a match! When I saw Mathieu Flamini warming up before the match, I said to the dog, “He’s due… Matty’s due.” And he was… not that my dog gives a shit. He’s a Blackburn supporter. But Flaminis’s goal… what an absolute rocket he put in to equalize at 24′… simply amazing.

The whole first half was so reassuring to see. Our beautiful, comprehensive flow hasn’t left us. It’s still well intact, and it’s still a joy to watch unfold. Not long after Flamini brought us level, Bacary Sagna produced yet another picture perfect cros, but this time to the head of Emmanuel Adebayor, who found net. Ade now stays tied for league leading scorer, I believe.

The second half… incredible. Aston Villa came on strong. Very strong. If the theory that “when Ade scores, Arsenal wins” were ever going to be put to the test, this was it. We still produced a few nice chances, but the tables had most definitely turned and it seemed only a matter of time before The Villains woud level. But it wasn’t to be. Our boys kept it together and ran out the clock to take all three points home from Villa Park. You can be sure old Martin will be looking to settle that score when he comes to see us in March.

Fulham on Wednesday to take up our game in hand. Played right, this could see us a full six points ahead of Manchester United. The usual suspects occupy the top four spots now, although I like this year’s current order quite a bit better.

Today’s Evil Thought: I know he only had three starts for us, but I bet it had to sting just a bit for the Pond Life when former Gunner Sebastian Larsson put that simply gorgeous shot into the top right corner in injury time to take three points. Contender for goal of the year for sure. But we’ll have none of that shit in January at Ashburton Grove, you hear Sebastian?

I missed this one, but I caught a few highlights. Looks like we went in a bit too weak. Sevilla was all over us. Oh well, I’d rather lose here than anywhere right now. Next up, the Villains. Should be one hell of a match. Right now I hear that Hleb & Clichy look to be fit, so that’s great news. Still no Cesc or van Persie though.