There will be plenty of Chelsea fans willing on Walcott as he skips down the wing and even Van Persie as he manages to craft a turn to shoot in the Man Utd penalty area.

“Heresy!  String him up from the rafters! Hang draw and quarter the scoundrel!” 

Of course, but we have no choice – our domestic fortunes are uncomfortably interlocked.  In an ideal world we wouldn’t rely on their results to help us but can we really see the greatest obstacle to a third league title in three years being defeated by anyone else except ourselves or the Woolwich?  Blackburn may present an unexpected battery of fire from some hidden place on the battlefield but there’s not much else. 

3 points for Wenger´s side would also put them ahead of us in the table today although we would expect to beat Wigan on the Monday in our game in hand and therefore move ahead once again of them and be level on points with the Mancs.

Then comes Everton away – no small challenge and just 3 days after facing Wigan at home thanks to Sky Sports and the Premier League who every now and then do something to quieten down oppo fans who regularly claim we are suffering from paranoia when we feel that the powers that be just don’t want our big blue “evil” machine triumphing on these shores. 

A result for the Woolwich would give their season a much needed late boost which would increase the pressure on us from just below (just as we have been doing to them for the latter part of the season) but we need Man Utd to drop points today - we have no choice but to merge lines with them for the moment against the obstacle which prevents either of a chance of domestic glory. 

Who knows?  It’s possible that points dropped by the Mancs today and then at Blackburn with the Stamford Bridge fixture sandwiched between 2 legs against Barcelona could even see yet another twist to the end of season – both ourselves and the Gooners could overhaul the Mancs!

Of course, we should focus on ourselves and our fixtures but do you think the Chelsea squad will be watching today’s match at Old Trafford with indifference?  I very much doubt it. 

Ferdinand is clearly not 100% fit, Vidic is back (apparently) but just how sharp will he be?  True, Rooney and Ronaldo are rested but I’ve a feeling in my bones we might just get the desired result today.  Controversy guaranteed of course – and can the Gooners really have more bad luck re refereeing decisions? 

Let’s hope for a “positive” result today - THEN we can focus on our matches – including a rather important one coming up at Stamford Bridge against the Mancs on yet another Armageddon Super Sunday!

I might just do something which I´ve never done before – cheer an Arsenal goal (although I must confess to experiencing some pleasure when Thomas scored THAT goal at Anfield (Does that count?). 

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