The third goal was like an Arsenal goal of old. Squillaci made a great tackle in the penalty area and Diaby held off his man, dribbled passed him and chipped a ball to Cesc on the halfway line, Cesc’s first time cushioned pass under pressure into Walcott’s path was pure Cesc. Walcott flew away from the

Three very welcomed points headed our way after a thoroughly entertaining game at Bloomfield road yesterday lunchtime. Three league draws in a row followed by a heated press conference from the manager meant that feelings around the club were turbulent especially after crashing out of various cup competitions in a short space of time.

I rushed home just in time for the kick off and was shocked to see the camera zoom in on Jens Lehmann in between the Arsenal goal, especially considering that the team sheet had Manuel Almunia starting only moments before.

Jens looked as if he had never been away. He looked cool, calm and in good shape so I had no worries about a 41 year old starting for us even though he supposedly looked shaky in his reserve come back weeks before.

Blackpool started quicker, started sharper and crisper in their passing and that worried me. Last night I watched the first game with Blackpool back in August and the speed and movement was light years ahead of the football we have been playing recently.

Defensively we had plenty of changes to deal with and I wondered how we would cope against an attacking side. Squillaci partnering Koscielny, Emmanuel Eboue starting at right back, Abou Diaby replacing Alex Song and Jens Lehmann in goal. Many of those players have not played regular football for a while now so I am sure many Gooners were wondering about how they would perform well the answer was pretty emphatic really.

Eboue was a breath of fresh air down the right, he was dynamic, athletic and direct. I have recently spoken about the whereabouts of our Ivorian flyer. Perhaps our recent draws to Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers at home could have been different with the extra offensive potential of Eboue.

The much maligned Abou Diaby playing as the more defensive midfielder was required to keep his handbrake yanked up a little more than his instincts would have liked, yet it was he who took the responsibility to get forward in the 18th minute. Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie who could have mistaken viewers into thinking they were watching American football with their quarter back and wide receiver routine. The pair linked up almost telepathically. Cesc’s chipped pass found the spinning run of Van Persie who took a touch on his chest and rolled it across the penalty box for Abou Diaby who had strode unopposed into the box to side foot in. It was Abou Diaby who had won the ball back inside his own half in the first place.

I thought Diaby was fantastic yesterday, a colossal in the midfield. I suppose I would say that, being the fully paid up member of the Diaby fan club.

Without wanting to get sucked into awful football cliche’s. One moment of skill was lack rewinding back to 2002 and watching Patrick Vieira. As he flicked the ball over the head of an onrushing midfielder and then strode away up the pitch effortlessly.

Minutes after the first goal, Arsenal were two up. Emmanuel Eboue pushing on from the right found Jack Wilshere and then bombed forward into the box, Wilshere slid the return back to Eboue who cut inside on his left and smashed a left footed shot past Kingson.

Bacary Sagna our most consistent defender would not have made that run, Jack would not have had that passing option.

Blackpool’s early pressure had disappeared and we began to dominate the game but Arsenal are not Arsenal without a collection of missed chances. Robin had a right foot shot easily saved after another lofted Cesc pass. Nasri had a shot saved and then hit the outside of the post in the same move.

Blackpool were holding a straight high line that was being continuously picked apart from mainly our skipper. Theo Walcott would have had a field day in that first half. He would have to wait his turn to expose that line.

Blackpool created some of their own chances, a combination of Squillaci and Lehmann blocked a goal bound effort late into the first half.

Blackpool started the second half as they did the first. Ian Holloway had clearly geed up his players at the break as they closed down much quicker and were more aggressive in the tackle.

On 52 we conceded a goal that in some ways we were happy to concede. Jens Lehmann had pulled down DJ Campbell after a threaded pass from Puncheon. With no goalkeeper on the bench due to Almunia’s late absence, a sending off and penalty could have been worse than conceding the goal. Gary Taylor-Flecther was on hand to roll the ball into the back of the unguarded net.

With Charlie Adam on penalty duty and Arsenal having to put an outfield player in between the poles as well as being down to ten men, then that would seem like a stronger advantage for the home side. Instead the play on was allowed and the goal stood thus making Lehmann’s foul irrelevant.

Luck seemed to be on our side for a refreshing change. Laurent Koscielny brought down Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the penalty area but the referee had waved play on. The only possible reason for the penalty not to be awarded would be that Taylor-Fletcher had released the ball before contact was made.

With Blackpool on the offensive and pushing forward, Arsene made the right change at the right time. With half an hour remaining on the clock, Theo Walcott replaced Andrey Arshavin, the perfect substitute to play against a side who are pushing for goals.

The third goal was like an Arsenal goal of old. Squillaci made a great tackle in the penalty area and Diaby held off his man, dribbled passed him and chipped a ball to Cesc on the halfway line, Cesc’s first time cushioned pass under pressure into Walcott’s path was pure Cesc. Walcott flew away from the Blackpool players and centered perfectly for Van Persie to side foot in for the nail in the proverbial coffin.

Conclusion

A game that could have gone so many ways. We could and should have finished the game in the first half yet we could have had a man sent off and then conceded a penalty when we were 2-1 up. The three points are vitally important and hopefully now the players can get back on track.

With Johan Djourou and Wojciech Szczesny close to returning to the squad perhaps the title isn’t the impossible mission after all. Seven more to go.

Lehmann (7)
Eboue (7)
Squillaci (7.5)
Koscielny (6)
Clichy (6.5)
Diaby (8)
Wilshere (6)
Cesc (8)
Nasri (7)
Van Persie (7)
Arshavin (6)