I propose we follow suit. Who knows, maybe his ban will work in our favour? Maybe it will engender a siege mentality that we need to fire us to glory? Not only have the press written us off this season

Does that chant ring a bell to Gooners of a certain vintage out there? I was way too young to be a part of it, but the story is of course ingrained in my soul. In the 1990/91 season we were docked two points after a mass ruckus with our opponents tomorrow, the Mancs. We promptly went on to win the league, and the chant of “YOU CAN STICK YOUR TWO POINTS UP YOUR ARSE!” reverberated around the red half of North London.

If/when Eddie does get banned for two matches, I propose we follow suit. Who knows, maybe his ban will work in our favour? Maybe it will engender a siege mentality that we need to fire us to glory? Not only have the press written us off this season, but now even the media-inspired authorities are exerting their will upon us. Regardless of whether or not it was a dive, why don’t we turn the disadvantage in our favour? We have done it in the past to great effect…

1990/91 – the aforementioned docking of two points, plus Tony Adams’ drink-drive ban. End result? Champions.

2001/02 – Thierry’s overreaction following the incomprehensible home defeat to Newcastle in December, which led to an even bigger overreaction in the media. End result? Champions.

2003/04 – the Ruud van Nistelrooy last minute penalty miss at Old Trafford, cue mass “celebrations” from Arsenal players. Notably one M. Keown. Bans and fines all round. Also, Black Saturday – the day Robert Pires took a tumble against the beloved Harry Redknapp and stole English football’s innocence. End result? Champions.

2009/10 – the furore surrounding Eduardo’s dive. It’s not so much the act that irks now (although it wasn’t a pretty sight), but how we have been harangued by the media whilst the likes of Stevie G, Wazza and Young Michael Owen have gotten away with similar such stuff for the best part of a decade. Even Ashley Young, another English starlet, did so last night. Any mention in the press? Is there f*ck. End result? To be decided, but it’s in our own hands – starting tomorrow.

To sum up, I leave you with three thoughts:

1) Eduardo is an inspiration to us all and I love him – regardless of his transgression

2) UEFA can stick their two-game ban where the sun doesn’t shine

3) WE ARE THE ARSENAL, WE ARE THE BEST, WE ARE THE ARSENAL, F*CK THE REST