With the Gunners far too lightweight in midfield, Mikel Arteta dropped back into a deeper-lying role. This freed Yossi Benayoun to go further forward, a move that helped forge a rare Arsenal chance on 30 minutes when the Israeli released Van Persie, only for the Dutchman's snap-shot to be tipped around the post.

He could stay a little longer. Come to that, why couldn't he stay forever? He had nothing to get back to.

GH is an unwashed manslut.

Shortly after I announced my pregnancy, he stole my thunder with his news of landing his dream job.