Diaby smashed a great left footed shot off the far post and Van Persie desperate to score shot when Bendtner was in better positions. So the score could have been more

If Carlsberg did Saturday football, it would probably work out like it did yesterday.

Manchester United were beaten by a very good and confident Fulham side, who showed that their recent performance at the Emirates was no fluke. Chelsea having started their game against Spurs half an hour later could not overcome the pressure and lost to a Tottenham team unfortunately moving out of the relegation zone.

The good news continued when Wenger revealed to the media that Theo Walcott was not as serious as first suggested and should be back fit and available within 12 days, just enough to rest through the Internationals.

It was down to Arsenal to capitalise on our rivals mistakes. Wenger had two real decisions to make. Diaby came in for Song and Bendtner started ahead of Eboue. The rest of the team picks itself.

Arsenal reverted back to 4-4-2 with Bendtner partnering Van Persie and Arshavin starting on the left with Nasri on the right.

Newcastle started the stronger from the whistle and started at a very quick aggressive tempo, just as they did against Manchester United at St James’ Park earlier in the season.

Gallas could have tested Harper on 9 minutes but mistimed his jump.

Arsenal were forced to play on the break, and Arsenal did exactly that on 14 minutes, Van Persie slid a good through pass to Bendtner who ran in on Harpers goal at an angle, his low cross shot was well saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Former Chelsea wide man Damien Duff went down a little easily from a Nasri challenge that sent the Irishman tumbling to the floor in search for a penalty, nothing given.

4 minutes later Almunia dropped a catch and stumbled into Ryan Taylor, penalty to Newcastle. With Michael Owen left on the bench it was down to Obafemi Martins to tuck it away. My first thoughts as he waited for the referee to blow his whistle so he could take it was that I haven’t seen him miss one so he will miss this one. Rarely have I been so confident that an opposition player would miss and with that he tamely hit it to Almunia’s left, luckily Almunia guessed the correct way and stopped and held on. I loved Almunia and Toure’s head to head encounter of pure fired up relief.

Van Persie and Arshavin combined for Arsenal with Arshavin having a clear sight of goal from close range, his hard shot was excellently blocked by the flying body of Steven Taylor.

I have to mention the disgusting act of violence from Steven Taylor on Andrey Arshavin because the press will conveniently forget about it. Arshavin was chasing the ball with Taylor who glanced up to see where his opposing player was and when he was in reach Taylor throw and arm in the face of Arshavin who fell to the ground clutching his face. I have watched almost every match this season very closely, I do not remember such a pre meditated act of violence by one of our players on an opponent this season. I don’t suppose the FA will act on it though, They have more important things like chasing up a deluded managers daily changing stories of players dressed in jeans and apparent spitting.

Peter Lovenkrands managed to run passed Gallas and Toure and through on Almunia’s goal but for exceptional reading of the game from Gael Clichy who got in a last ditch tackle. Gael Clichy has been somewhat subdued of late and has not been at his best but he certainly looked somewhere near his best yesterday. He made countless interceptions and burst past the Newcastle midfielders with ease. When you look at an inform Clichy you realise that as good as Gibbs is, he still has someway to go to overtake Clichy.

on 36 minutes, Arshavin burst past Taylor and cracked a 25 yard strike against the top of the cross bar.

Newcastle could have scored 5 minutes before half time, Nolan fired over a left wing cross which Lovenkrands missed in the penalty area. Martins fired just wide moments later.

Arsenal had their best chance just before half time, Van Persie expertly pulled down a long pass and was faced with Harper in goal but he couldn’t nudge the ball beyond the goalkeeper. Van Persie has missed a number of very good chances in recent weeks. Since his purple patch in January where everything turned into a goal or assist the end product has dried up somewhat but he is still working very hard and is a danger to the opposition. No doubt that the goals will come back.

Steven Taylor made yet another crucial block minutes later after a Bendtner cut back to Van Persie who hit an effort towards goal but was denied by Taylor’s body.

So half time both sides went in scoreless but it could have been 2-2.

No changes for the second half, Newcastle starting positively. Ryan Taylor pulled back and wrestled Clichy down to the floor, the referee played advantage to us then pulled it back to where the foul took place, good refereeing.

Arshavin floated a ball into the penalty area to the head of Bendtner who looped a header over Harper into the Newcastle net, 1-0 57 minutes played.

Less than a minute later the ball was rolling around the Arsenal net. Gallas didn’t clear the danger away and Martins nipped in and poked the ball first time past Almunia.

6 minutes later Arsenal were back in front, Steven Taylor was off the pitch receiving treatment because of injury and Arsenal exploited his absence. Diaby played a pass into Van Persie and continued his run, Van Persie played it back into the long legged stride of Diaby who fired it over Harper justifying his inclusion in the side.

It didn’t take long for the third to arrive, Van Persie who created the second also played the final pass to Nasri who gambled in the box and struck it low inside Harpers near post. 3-1 and breathing space for Arsene Wenger’s troops.

Arsenal were dominant after that goal, the midfield interchanged and pulled Newcastle all over the place. Van Persie should have scored when slid in by Clichy, he tried to round Harper and the keeper got back to make the block.

Alex Song replaced Arshavin who had to receive some very treatment from Newcastle especially Taylor who went off injured, justice was served.

Diaby smashed a great left footed shot off the far post and Van Persie desperate to score shot when Bendtner was in better positions. So the score could have been more but it stayed at 3.

This Arsenal team keep improving and winning football matches. We are the only team to remain unbeaten in 2009. If this is not proof that this team is capable of winning the league then I do not know what is. Unfortunately the team were growing and developing at the start of the season and they missed consistency, hopefully from now on we can see the needed consistent performances that will push us on next season.

A few weeks ago I wanted Liverpool to beat Aston Villa, now I do not know which will benefit us more.

My top gun of the day goes to Gael Clichy who was fantastic both in defence and attack, welcome back the real Gael Clichy.