Overall a good weekend

Three more valuable points won, it was not quite as stress free as it could have been but if Birmingham had managed to take anything away from the Emirates it would have been an absolute travesty of justice. It was a workmanlike and physical Birmingham side, they are not an easy side to break down but they do lack a cutting edge offensively and really need to add to their squad in terms of top draw attacking talent.

The game should really have been over by half time but thanks to a mixture of bad luck, missed chances and a goalkeeping error, Birmingham were well in the game at 2-1 down. Theo got crunched by a rather aggressive Ridgewell lunge, he did take the ball but he did follow through in a rather malicious manner with his non tackling leg, it could easily have been a card for the Brum defender. Theo's knee didn't feel right so he came off at around the half hour mark, hopefully he'll only be out for a couple of weeks or so. RVPs goal was top notch, he has deserved his recent goals as his all round team play has developed so much over the past year or two. Diaby capped a solid game with a nicely taken second goal to make it two nil.

Mannone showed why I have by doubts about him, he really should have gone for the ball with some conviction, instead he looked a bit ponderous, he went in too half heartedly and consequently he wasn't able to get two solid hands on the ball, it then split to Bowyer who finished without mistake. The second half saw few moments of Brum danger, Mannone did do well to tip away a cleverly weighted left footed centre that created some panic as it zipped across the six yard box. Andrei Arshavin sealed the deal with a lovely little side footer into the bottom corner, his marker backed off and that gave our little dynamic Russian all the space he needed to beat Hart with ease.

Our points tally is very decent indeed after only eight games. while no single team looks particularly dominant this year. Chelsea dropped points again away from home and look strangely vulnerable at the centre of their defence, Manu are picking up points but are not convincing, Liverpool have lost four games already.

Some things have been very positive this season. Eboue appears to have been reborn is is arguably looking better than Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs is developing fast and putting the pressure on Clichy. Song has been outstanding in the centre of the park, not only defensively but he has also constructed a lot of our play. Cesc is finding some form again, even Diaby is having some good games. Our array of attacking options could merit an essay on their own, Chamakh appears to have been a victim to this abundance of talent. Above all the players are getting on with each other and that must have a lot to do with a certain nasty piece of work from Togo.