The Great Dane Bendtner started the scoring, sticking that massive head of his onto an Arshavin cross, and the (sometimes) so smooth Vassiriki Diaby thundered in the winner after a series of passes that only Arsenal could call routine. Adding a frosted-tipped cherry to the top, Samir Nasri clinically fired another cracker into the corner to put Arsenal 3 points clear of Champions League-chasing competitors.
Although many of the set pieces Arshavin has played have ended in the arms of the goalkeeper, his service to Bendtner early in the second half was sublime. Watching the Russian race around an English pitch every week, ignoring stitches and insufficient fitness, one truly begins to believe his move to North London is a dream. At Arsenal, his surprising combination of power and pace, albeit backed by a Nedvedesque bow legged stride, seems to be perfectly suited to Arsene Wenger's system, and his enthusiasm whilst going forward at odd angles has proven an excellent remedy to the Gunner's goal-scoring troubles. In terms of his near-summer moves, the greatest resemblance to Zenit he would have found at Barcelona may be the racist chants coming from the stands, and he simply has too much class to play for Spurs. Andrei Arshavin is indeed a Gunner.
And speaking of Nicklas Bendtner, in the second half there existed a moment of Arsenal attack spearheaded by he and Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman controlled the ball just outside of the box, and to his left Bendtner ran in on goal completely unmarked. Van Persie hesitated, took a poor touch of the ball, and the moment was lost. The match commentators were shrewd to notice the occasion, and wondered whether Van Persie's decisions were driven by Bendtner's inability to finish with his feet. Whether it was a case of Van Persie just looking to add to his team-leading tally, a lack of confidence in his fellow forward, or merely a moment of madness, Bendtner's willingness to continually push forward and get himself into good attacking positions cannot be knocked, even if comparisons between Ricky Henderson's ego and his own seem more and more plausible. Arsenal fans can only hope he does not stand in front of a mirror wearing his pink vapors and nothing else, shamelessly whispering "Nico is de best" over and over.
As for Newcastle, Norman Hubbard made an excellent point last week when he suggested the Magpies may be rebranded as the Championship's biggest club. With Steven Taylor being named man of the match by the Newcastle fans, and most of their opportunities coming from corner kicks, they have for the moment lost the swagger and style necessary to be called Premier League.
