Sure it's easy to say now, but who would have been whistling along Monday morning?

It really is bonkers how a bunch of guys kicking a carefully crafted and ridiculously expensive ball around can have such a profound effect on ordinary life. But only when your particular bunch of guys gets the ball in the net more than someone else's bunch of guys is it a positive effect. Otherwise there is deathly quiet, interrupted only by the occasional quiet sobbing. Or is that just me? Going into last nights game against Liverpool I had either unknowingly taken some happy substance or I was firmly convinced all would be well for no good reason. Well yeah it did take quite a long time until all was well, but what the hey. The life/football balance is now in equilibrium again.

Once more Diaby showed that he is if not the Prince of Darkness, then at least the Prince of when it gets darker just before it gets really dark. It's been much discussed, but he does seem to have an extra something the later the kickoff gets. No matter whether that's actually true, it's now an urban myth so it'll be on Wikipeadia shortly and will then become fact.

It seems blindingly obvious, but having someone who is allowed to go on the bigger rides in theme parks upfront seems to work a tad better than not. Funny how we got ourselves in the situation where Bendtner was our Great Hope considering he wouldn't top many Gooners polls as the most effective striker we have ever had. But he made a nuisance of himself and that's what we lacked, so good on him.

Something was also lacking in the aftermath of the game. Anyone notice the deafening silence in the media that greeted Prince Charming's antics all over the shop? Whilst not expecting an Eduardo-esque outpouring, you might have thought that Gerrard's attempts at 'gaining an advantage' merited that odd mention. Serves Bendtner right that he's a Dane is what I say. The penalty embargo is still in place.

It would appear that the injury gremlins are still giving it large and so we now have to wait on Stuart Little and Going For A to see whether they can get into contention for the CL next week. Having a whole week off may come in handy, obviously Arsène foresaw that which is why we decided to get out of the F All Cup. See what he did there? The man's a complete genius...

Sad to say that Cashley seems to have picked up a nasty fracture in a tussle with an American fellow. Now that's planning ahead by the Yanks. And more broken bones at the mancs. Someone isn't getting enough calcium or else Arsène is right and the top players are getting battered in ways which the man on the Clapham omnibus might see as over-zealous. Make up your own mind.

So we're faced not with an Interlull, but with a 'We played crap against Stoke lull'. Time for medial thingies to heal, heads to get right and Vermaelen and Gallas to eat a lot more raw meat. And Almunia to keep going in the right direction. At the right time. With his hands out.

Couldn't possibly miss the chance to mention Spuds going down to Wolves. Especially after 'Arry (or No. 1354678646 as he is now known) decreed we shot our bolt and were there for the taking by his mega team. How's that for prescience?