Andre Santos was fantastic from start to finish, he is looking stronger and sharper. I suspect that will continue as the games keep coming. He is a joy to watch, a player who could probably play in most midfield positions. His little jinks inside his man from a standing start are becoming his trade mark

Qualified top of the group with a game to spare, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United all still sweating over getting out of their groups. Eight wins and one draw from our last nine games in all competitions and it is safe to say that Arsenal FC are in good shape right about now.

We faced a team full of confidence, a team that have just beaten league rivals Bayern Munich in an impressive fashion but this is not just a team of talented Arsenal players thrown together, this is now a team with dare I say it, mental strength. A team with organisation and a team who fight for each other.

It was the typical seasoned Champions league professional performance from Arsenal and that is something we haven’t been able to say for a while.

Dortmund were quicker out of the traps and we struggled to get into their half but we kept tight defensively and then slowly took over in the second half.

Andre Santos was fantastic from start to finish, he is looking stronger and sharper. I suspect that will continue as the games keep coming. He is a joy to watch, a player who could probably play in most midfield positions. His little jinks inside his man from a standing start are becoming his trade mark and he adds so much to our offensive game.

It is unfair to compare him to Gael Clichy even if when you look at the stats on paper, it makes you chuckle. Andre Santos has a specific role in the team, it is his job to join the midfield and slip passes into van Persie’s stride. It is also the midfields job to cover him when he makes those moves forward. It is misguided to believe that Santos just bombs forward without a consideration for his defensive duties. Like the rest of the team we are starting to see an understanding with Santos and his team mates.

Alex Song has already made that left wing drive this season and that also resulted in an assist. Aaron Ramsey stabbed home Song’s left footed cross at White Hart Lane but this was more Gascoigne than makeshift left winger. He has to be the most talented defensive midfielder in the country.

Alex Song is making it a habit to improve considerably in the second half. He was everywhere for Arsenal and won tackle after tackle. He did the same in Udinese and Marseille. The scary thing is that Alex Song has plenty of scope for improvement as is the way with most of Wenger’s squad. van Persie is obviously getting a taste for being in the six yard box. Two more goal scorers goals last night.

We scored a George Graham corner kick, once that happens then you know your luck is changing. The Steve Bould near post flick on followed up by Alan Smith at the far post to nod in past a helpless keeper. Having the aggression of Vermaelen to win the ball was the key. Since he has come back from injury we already look more threatening from corners and he proved that by almost scoring his second against West Brom a few weeks back.

I was waiting for the Benayoun for Gervinho substitution. It wasn’t Gervinho’s day but as always he puts in a great shift for the team and also poses a constant threat. Benayoun was great when he came on. Kept the ball intelligently, linked up very well with van Persie who had taken up a deeper, wider role for the team. Yossi did himself no hard with his cameo. Hats off to him.

I don’t think Dortmund would have scored their goal if the scores were level but it is only a minor irritation now. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ju Park, Francis Coquelin and Yossi Benayoun can get ready for a trip to Greece. A nice time to give some squad players some game time at the top level.

I imagine that we will see some rotation for the weekend.

* I hope for a speedy recover to Sven Bender who broke his cheek bone during the game.