It seems that the team does not know how to utilise the new pitch. When they played at Highbury they often needed to make numerous short passes, at different angles, to either draw out the opposition, or to thread the ball through packed defences. Surely different tactics are needed now that the pitch is much larger?

 Of course it is also likely that a three-goal away lead made the team content to hang on to what they have, keeping in mind they have another tough game on the Saturday. No doubt Wenger warned the players against such an approach, but footballers are contrary creatures, and once on the field often ignore the advice of a manager. Whatever the reason, when Zagreb scored I felt uneasy, Arsenal would only have to concede another goal and it would be squeaky bum time. The other worrying factor would-be the creation of the "curse of the Emirates" that the press would build up into a mental block for the team. Defeat would be very bad news indeed.

On 63 minutes Adebayor blasted the ball high over an open and inviting goal. Wenger clearly had had enough and a few minutes later substituted him for Henry, and a few minutes after that Gilberto replaced Hleb. Finally the team began to play with real vigour and tempo. On 78 minutes the Gunners won a free kick on the right flank, van Percie's excellent delivery meant that Ljungberg only had to glance the ball into the net. Cue relief, wild celebration, and the " we love you Freddie" song. Suddenly the team seemed to realise, urged on by Henry, and now Walcott, that a victory was essential, not for qualification, that was now assured, but for the well being of the team, the fans, and the new stadium.

 Even so I was beginning to despair that we would get out first victory at the new stadium, however on 90 minutes Walcott found Flamini well placed in the penalty area. Flamini did what the strikers had failed to do all night, with no fuss he put the ball directly into the net. Perhaps we have found yet another position for the ever-versatile Flamini.

 As the crowd headed for the never-ending queue at the not so nearby stations, the Piccadilly line was suffering severe delay, they cheered on hearing that Chelsea had lost at Middlesborough.