Bullshit like the ‘Fawlty Manuel’ stories sells papers, and selling papers makes rich men richer. I’ll be honest with you though; I’m still unsure quite what Arsene’s intentions are with the two goalies. I don’t know if Jens looked sideways at Arsene or dropping the German was a warning about complacency. Given the injuries and suspensions the Boss couldn’t very well drop anybody else. Either way Almunia got the nod and looks like he might keep the shirt. Is he the answer? I don’t think that the game proved anything in this regard one way or another. Almunia, as others have pointed out, had a perfectly good game and can, just, be acquitted of any wrongdoing over the two goals we conceded.

Nonetheless, I would argue that Almunia played no better than we should expect of a Premiership goalkeeper. Time, or more probably Arsene, will be the judge, but I do wonder what Alex Manninger, Richard Wright, or Stuart Taylor might be thinking. Another point worth making is that the saga illustrates just how difficult it is to replace a world class keeper; just ask the Mancs.

In my last contribution to these pages I argued that we would need to stand up and be counted after what was for the most part a dreadful performance against Liverpool. I was frankly worried that we might be overrun in midfield and I don’t imagine I was the only one, especially once it became clear that Freddie wouldn’t be playing (and his continued absence is a big worry, both for him and us). As it turned out of course, both the crowd and the team were up for it; Fabregas and Flamini had wonderful games, and the latter was a revelation, reminding me of Petit in his short-lived pomp; mind you it’s true to say I’d had a drink.

It is, however, Fabregas who astounds, and the kid was the dominant midfield player in the game. For my money, given the heat in the match, the importance of the result, the quality of the players he was up against and, most obviously and remarkably, his age, he cannot be over praised. Once more we have, as Arsenal fans, and because of the genius of Wenger, landed with our bums in the jam. Cesc is a very, very special player, and regardless of his size and age I fear for him no longer.

However, and finally, it must be admitted that our continued inability to defend set pieces, or crosses of any kind, is likely to cost us the big prizes if it continues. Some in the Clock End were wondering just how much defensive work is done in training; others were wondering why we persist with ‘zonal’ marking. After a couple of beers it was bandied about that Senderos should come in for Toure, but this would be a high risk strategy given their respective levels of experience. Others wondered if the Boss might get TA to come in and run the odd workshop in the dark arts of defence. For my money, I’m a man-marker man myself; but then again I haven’t won three championships. The problem is perhaps a lack of height, but in that case we need a keeper who is comfortable coming off his line, and we return to Almunia, who did seem to grow in confidence in this department as the game went on, but who did not appear entirely trustworthy. It seems to me a problem, again, of confidence.

The back five of champions should pick itself. Our defence is unsure of itself and unsure of its keeper; the more goals we concede from crosses and dead balls, the more we will continue to concede. In this way the prophecy that we will let in goals in these situations becomes self-fulfilling. The only cure is keeping clean sheets beginning, one would hope, with Pompey on Sunday. The temptation to go out and buy a big name centre half and keeper next month must be strong, but it would be as well to remember both that Arsene knows, and Corporal Jones’ mantra; not the one they accuse us of, but the one that goes ‘Don’t Panic.’

So, as Burroughs asked, and broadening the meaning a little, who profits from the weekend? While they go away clearly the happier team than us, especially after United’s draw, my own feeling is that Arsene will have learnt a lot more from the game. He knows now that Flamini is up for it, he is confirmed in his belief that the kid Fabregas is a diamond, and that, consequently, we might be able to survive the disastrous loss of Silva. He also knows that his team is up for the fight. What we need now is to go on the kind of run that puts the fear of God into everybody else.

Once again, dedication, selflessness, and concentration are what we need. If we keep our eye on the long game, we can wipe the smug looks off the faces of the West London arrivistes who clearly believe that they have the title won already. After their manager appeared to have spent most of last week laughing at Arsene, what better incentive is there than that? They are a disrespectful bunch over there, who do not know what it takes to be champions; it’s time for us to remind everybody that we do.