Robin Van Persie is adapting to this new role in front of our eyes and is doing a great job. He is now being rewarded from all the hard and unselfish work that he puts in

Arsenal 3 Birmingham City 1 – Premier League

After a long International period any type of victory is good enough and is appreciated. Arsene’s team needs to be fine tuned before it purrs perfectly. When a majority of the team fly around the world and come back with only a couple of days to prepare for a Premier League game then it makes a difference to our performance, especially as we base our game purely on combinations, interchange and understanding.

Arsenal never quite reached the dizzy heights of the Blackburn victory but still had far too much for Birmingham City.

Kieran Gibbs replaced the injured Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue was drafted in to add extra attacking power to the right in place of Bacary Sagna. The only surprise was the inclusion of Theo Walcott into the front three with Andrey Arshavin dropping to the bench.

Theo Walcott has had a frustrating season so far, struggling with injuries and lack of fitness. He finally got his start in the 4-3-3 formation. His joy came to an abrupt end as Liam Ridgewell delivered one of the ‘let them know you are there’ tackles which was designed to go through the player. Ridgewell did just that, winning the ball then clattering into Walcott’s leg.

After treatment Theo came back to try and run it off and he looked to be doing that as he threatened the Birmingham defence on more than one occasion. His pace and direct running adds an important dimension to our football.

The timing of the first goal was always going to be key. It was always going to be a case of attack against defence and the game could only open up once Arsenal scored. Frustrating Arsenal seems to be a difficult task so far this season. For the last few seasons I have been frustrated by the lack of goals scored in the first half which added pressure to the team in the second half.

This season Arsenal have scored in 6 of 8 first halves in the Premier League.

16 minutes on the clock, Alex Song who had yet another outstanding game spotted a darting run in the penalty box from Van Persie back into the left channel that he found himself for his goal against Blackburn Rovers. The Dutchman tidied up Song’s pass and fired it hard and low into the corner of Joe Hart’s net. It was a quality strike from a difficult angle.

Robin Van Persie is adapting to this new role in front of our eyes and is doing a great job. He is now being rewarded from all the hard and unselfish work that he puts in. Four goals in his last four games is the least that the talented Dutchman deserves. He seems to be trying to continue his record breaking attempt of hitting the woodwork. A direct free kick clipping the top of the crossbar in the second half.

On 18 minutes Emmanuel Eboue combined well with Tomas Rosicky down the right, in behind the City back line. His square pass found Abou Diaby striding into the box to side foot on his weaker side past the keeper. I thought Abou Diaby had an excellent game, especially defensively. He looked like he was trying to keep things a little more simple. Winning the ball and finding a pass. He continued to do that job throughout the afternoon.

Theo Walcott could not continue and was replaced by Andrey Arshavin, not a bad replacement for a side that lacks strength in depth. Even clearer when the likes of Nasri, Bendtner, Vela and Eduardo could have all replaced him but where not available on the day.

At two goals up the Arsenal gears shifted downwards. We kept the ball without forcing the issue. Some of the movement and passing especially between Cesc, Van Persie and Rosicky was top quality. Taking the foot off the pedal after the Internationals and leading by two goals at home is understandable, especially given the hard work the players put in before that to win the ball back from the front but it was this that gave Birmingham City a chance back into the game.

Seven minutes before half time a cross was curled into the box, Diaby’s defensive header looped high into the air, Mannone was challenged by Sebastian Larsson in the air but Vito Mannone wasn’t strong enough and couldn’t keep hold of the ball, the ball dropped to Lee Bowyer who was lurking on the edge of the six yard box to fire in past the diving Mannone.

Vito Mannone is an excellent prospect who makes several good saves but at his age and lack of experience he is still making mistakes and to win the league you need consistency which he will get in time. Mannone has been fantastic overall, more than we could have expected at 21 and third choice but it could well be time to bring back Manuel Almunia to the first team. It is not a problem as the team are winning but all it will take is one mistake that could cost the team points and the built up confidence could be unravelled.

Andrey Arshavin nearly made it three with a snap shot but Hart made the save, the ball eventually ended back to Arshavin in a better position but his shot was totally mis-hit.

At half time Arsene Wenger must have told his players how important the third goal would be. Birmingham City had got themselves back into the game after being totally outplayed for the whole half, all it needed was one set piece or long range effort that could have put the home side under pressure.

The second half was almost like we were chasing the game. We were forcing the issue, trying to get the third but Hart was equal to everything.

Ten minutes before the end Mannone redeemed himself from an earlier error by diving out to meet a first time cross from Liam Ridgewell. Had the Italian missed the ball there would have been two Birmingham City players on hand to tap in from close range.

Minutes later the game was sealed. Cesc played the ball to Arshavin in the left channel with acres of space to run in as Birmingham for once were in forward positions. Arshavin cut in and curled a shot very early into the corner of Joe Hart’s net. Another piece of brilliance from the Russian play maker.

Diaby could have scored a late fourth but was denied by a wonderful Hart save.

It turned out to be a good weekend for the Gunners as Liverpool without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres predictably lost at Sunderland. A hugely overrated squad with two world class performers. You have to say, the beach ball took the goal very well, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Chelsea are supposed to be defensively superb, yet were undone by two crosses and were beaten by Aston Villa. They have lost back to back away matches. If Chelsea want to win the league then they will have to start beating teams like Wigan away from home.

Seven wins on the trot for Arsenal and we are still not being taken seriously which is just splendid. We are scoring goals for fun and are picking up three points. The big test will be against Chelsea, we need to win that game at least to reinforce the belief in the squad.

Another three points under our belts, long may the run comtinue.