We started well enough with Van Persie justifying his selection, but he really must learn to use his right foot more as too many times he turn on his left and lost possession. Flamini reminds me of a fly, zipping around midfield but, unlike a bee, having no end product. Bobby had another of his 'its cold and everyone is booing me so I'm not going to play' days.

We huffed and puffed but didn't really create a great deal with them having the two clearest chances. The second half was a complete reversal and we should be grateful that Ricardo Fullar is crap or else we could have found ourselves at least one down. The defense looked only slightly better than they have in recent weeks but since the return of Sol it has been looking more solid with every game. The winning goal came from the most unlikely of players charging from midfield and hitting a pill driver of a shoot into the net: Sol. And what a goal it was, I hope Vieira took note. I spoke with a Pompey mate of mine who went to the game and he said that they felt they should have had a draw but they don't mind losing to us following the good sportsmanship we showed there last season (bar Bobby that is). So our boys left the frozen south coast with the three points and the race is still on.

Without wanting to sound all humbug at this time of the year why do fans wear those stupid hats with "Santa is a * fan", when everyone knows that Santa is a Gooner.

Cult Heroes Eleven
Whilst having a curry the other night with my Gooner mates Glen, Brian and Metin we got on the subject of our cult heroes and who would make our Arsenal cult eleven. Remember they may not have been the best players of that time, in fact most were very bad but they had the affection of the crowd for one reason or another:

Keeper - Pat Jennings
A player who was loved by both ends of the Seven Sisters Road. Sp*rs said he was over the hill; well, 4 cup finals, 2 World Cups and 7 years later, he was.
Right Back - Pat Rice
Our current No. 2, Pat is honest to say that he was never a great player but he trained and gave 100% for Arsenal. He played in 6 cup finals and our 71 double side, which wasn't bad for an average player.
Left Back - Sammy Nelson
Will always be remembered for 'Mooning' the North Bank after scoring against Coventry one year, just for a laugh.
Centre Back- Willie Young
Pushed out of The Lane and we picked him up on the cheap. Willie was full of heart and he quickly won our affections. There was nothing better than seeing Big Willie charging up the field for a corner with the North Bank singing '6 foot 2, eyes of blue, Willie Young is after you, la, la, la, la,la'
Centre Back - Tony Adams
Mr. Arsenal. Nothing more to say.
Right Midfield - David (Rocky) Rocastle
You could tell he loved playing for Arsenal. He was the cool guy that looked like he had just stepped off the set of Miami Vice (one for the youngsters there). He was the type of person we all wished was our mate and I will never forget how he cried the day he was sold.
Centre Midfield - Liam Brady
One of the greatest players to have ever pulled on an Arsenal shirt. Oh how we cried when he left for Italy. Seven years of depression after he left.
Centre Midfield - Patrick Vieira
This summer aside, he has been our leader on and off the pitch and when his song is sang around Highbury with gusto the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up.
Left Midfield - Perry Groves
George Graham's first signing and we should have seen the signs from that. Had one of the best chants ever "Perry Groves at No.1, Perry Groves at No.2..we all live in a Perry Groves world"
Forward - Ian Wright
When George Graham bought him we thought he was mad since he was in his late 20's when he arrived. He scored goals for fun and you could tell he loved every minute he was on that pitch. He still has trouble when he is on TV talking about Arsenal without saying, "we".
Forward - Charlie George
He was the original fan who stepped off the terraces onto the pitch. He played for the crowd and we loved him for it. He had more skill in his left toe than most today's players have in their entire body but he never really used it to the best of his ability.

I Heard It Through The Grape Vine
AW feels Mr. Ed(u) thinks too highly of himself and will be glad to see the back of him

Life After Arsenal
Steve Walford. After leaving Arsenal he went onto Norwich and Leicester before going into coaching. Became one of Martin O'Neals coaches at Wycombe and then followed him to Leicester and now with him at Celtic.

Spotted out and about
Ashley Cole at the 'Funky Buddha', a club off Leicester Square with a chick from some girl band.

Players We Have Been Linked With This Week
Shay Given (Newcastle) Keeper
Dean Kiely (Charlton) Keeper
Antti Niemi (Southampton) Keeper
Roy Carrol (Mancs) Keeper
Francesco Toldo (Inter) Keeper.
George Shiachourou (Brotherhood United) Keeper for my brother-in-law's under-18 side. Well we have been linked with every other keeper so why not him.
Ledley King (Arsenal feeder club) They will do their boll*cks if we nick him as well
Valeri Bojinov (Lecce) 18-year-old Bulgarian striker.

Useless Arsenal Trivia
One of TH14 sporting heroes is Michael Jordan.

Celebrity Gooner.
Henry Cooper, former British heavyweight boxer who knocked Ali down in the early 60's.

This weeks 'Totally Irrelevant' link to Arsenal
Quincy Owusu Abeyie was not named after the 70's TV pathologist 'Quincy' played by Jack Klugman.

With your permission I will be taking a two week break to try and enjoy the festive holiday with my family. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and here's hoping that Santa brings you everything you wish for, because just remember "he knows when you've been good or bad" and if that's the case then let's hope the Mancs get nothing this year.

By the way what's the best way to make Eggnog?

All the best,
Teabag