After beating the mancs at Old trafford, this was going to be the real test. Had we lost this one, or even drawn, the good work from last week would have been all but undone, so it was vital that we kept up our good record against the Arse. We did, and in some style too. It may not have been the free flowing style that we saw when we beat them at Anfield last season, but in many ways this was a lot more impressive. Just like last week, the gameplan was simple. Allow them as much possession as they like in their own half, but as soon as they come into our half stop them, and then counter attack. It worked brilliantly. What makes us all the more effective this season is that we are such a big side that we'rew always a danger from set-pieces.
Whether it's corners, free kicks or even long throws, we look like scoring. The first goal arrived from Babbel's long throw, but Stevie G's finish was sublime. We've all said the only thing lacking from this lad's game is goals, but that's four for the season now, which isn't too bad really is it? Last week Stevie overshadowed Keane, and this week it was Vieira who had to take a back seat to our Stevie. The Frenchman is a brilliant footballer, who for me is the top man in his position, but Stevie's right up there with him.
Heskey gave the Gunners all kinds of problems, and Keown and Luhzny looked scared shitless whenever he cam near them. Emile didn't score, but his impact on the game was huge. His mere presence allows others to play, and he gets better and better every week it seems. £11m? An absolute snip. As for his strike partner, well Michael seemed out of sorts once more, and it's clear that the injuries have set him back a bit. Even so, he's into double figures already this season, which is some feat considering the problems he's had. It was nice to hear the crowd finally sing his name too, that's been long overdue.
Nicky Barmby has turned out to be a really good signing, and along with Heskey and Gerrard, he's been one of our top performers all season. The way he took his goal was sheer class, and he also made one for Robbie too. It was good to see Fowler on the scporesheet after all the speculation this week. GH has given Fowler 100% total support, and hopefully Robbie will knuckle down to the squad sytem and repay his managers faith.
Once again, the back four were superb, with Sami in particular looking great. Sander was solid again, and things are looking great at the moment. If we can keep up this kind of form, then second place is a more than realistic goal. As for the title, well we've probably thrown away too many points to make that happen, but it would be interesting to see how the mancs would react if we could get close. After all, Arsenal put the pressure on a couple of years back and they folded, so who knows?
TEAM: Sander Westerveld; Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Jamie Carragher; Danny Murphy (Vladimir Smicer), Steven Gerrard (Gary McAllister), Igor Biscan, Nick Barmby; Michael Owen (Robbie Fowler), Emile Heskey:
