A 3-1 win at the Emirates last night underlined the difference in quality between the two teams, Arsenal was sublime and Celtic could not match the level of football Arsenal displayed in either leg. Sadly last night will be remembered for one thing only — Eduardo’s dive.

Denilson squares up to O'Dea — the kids are growing up

Let’s get this straight, no one likes to see a player dive. If it were a Celtic player I’d be livid, but name me a team that haven’t won penalties or freekicks or a game from conning the referees— that’s right you can’t. It’s tolerated when it suits you, and maligned when it’s against you. Until the authorities pull their finger out and do something about it, then games will be won and lost by “simulation”, the fact does remain that a 5-1 aggregate had nothing to do with the penalty.

It was very disappointing to see the post match analysis descend into 30 minutes of discussion over a single event with very little about Arsenal’s great play. You can guarantee that it won’t be soon forgotten, Eduardo will be the new Ronaldo, the latest foreigner to be picked on for diving, because it’s Arsenal and because he is foreign, because English —sorry British— players don’t cheat, nor do their British managers tolerate cheating, it’s a foreign affliction.

The match analysis contained hardly anything about the transformation of Eboue a player who was booed of the field and having enough mental fortitude to improve his game and turn those boos into cheers. Nothing about Denilson whose contribution again by and large goes unnoticed.

Song who was my Man-Of-The_match hardly got a mention, another barelythat was booed by Gooners and whom no one but Arsene Wenger ever thought would make it as a Premier League player let alone an Arsenal player, no fully recognised as an essential if not vital cog in the Arsenal machine. Last night he again showed how far he’s come, so much so that Gooners are now fretting over his jetting off to the ACN in January.

Diaby’s ability to turn defence into devastating attack with 2 strides of those extra long limbs is nothing short of extraordinary. Sometimes he dallies with the ball to much, but when he gets it right it’s a sight to behold. He hasn’t been able to really string out a run of games yet, 3 years of start stop play besmirched by injuries has curtailed his progress. A tough off season training program has strengthened both his physical and mental resolve, long may it last.

The defence did their job. It’s obvious that the Galls Vermaelen partnership has blossomed well, it’s equally obvious that they have been strenuously tested yet. However it wouldn’t be in the least bit premature to say that it is a definite improvement over the previous pairings. Is letting in a goal with the last kick a problem? I doubt that if it were of importance the defence would have been switched on.

Two things before I finish

Bendtner had a stinker, although he did improve once moved to the centre, he just seems to be trying a bit too hard at the moment. I must say though that he worked hard to close down and harry players when we lost the ball, but as a forward he was pants. He needs a goal or two to boost his confidence.

At 74min Arshavin scored the third goal and the game was over, we could have easily go into 1st gear but we didn’t. It was great to see that even at that point everyone was still working hard, closing down players, making runs, and creating space. Maybe it was a waste of energy but it was great to see the huge difference in the commitment of our team even when the have no reason to, that’s all we want to see— players that are committed to the cause at all all times.