I was contacted by a journalist this morning for a quote on Eduardo. I don’t normally encourage this kind of waste of my working time, but I think the win over Cardiff has put me in a good mood. So I gave him the following - “Eduardo and Carlos Vela formed a combination that re-galvanised the team with their movement, tidy play in tight spaces and creativity. The pair were like a breath of fresh air after a glut of stale Arsenal performances.” Journalism being journalism, it’ll probably end up as something like ‘Wenger out’ by the time it sees print, but what the hell, the world looks like a better place this morning.

Granted, the limit of Cardiff’s ambition seemed to be avoiding humiliation, but the contrast between Arsenal’s performance in the first attempt to resolve this tie and the replay was very marked indeed. There were four changes from the line-up that started at Ninian Park. Gallas for Djourou, Denilson for Ramsey, Eduardo for Van Persie and Vela for Eboue. Nasri switched to the right flank to accommodate Vela.

But it was fundamentally the introduction of Vela that transformed the team, along with Eduardo’s ability to combine with the Mexican. Wenger has a real player here and it is tragic that he has not been given more opportunities as the team’s creative abilities seem to have evaporated.

Suddenly, Arsenal had players on both flanks who are happy hogging the ball, willing to take possession, rarely wasteful and critically, capable of movement that will open up a defence with the consequence of opportunities for themselves or team-mates. Contrast with the waste of space that is Emmanuel Eboue, whose performances have rarely risen above the incompetent in the last three months, despite the abundance of opportunities.

This is why fans get frustrated with the manager. When they can see talent in the squad but the failure to utilize it for the benefit of the team.

On one level, Cardiff made Arsenal look good, but this was the same Cardiff team that made them look distinctly average three weeks before. So well played the Gunners, you are in the last 16, at home against a side with which there is unfinished business, with the carrot of a home draw in the quarter final. Wembley beckons, given that the semis are going to be played there until a good number of us are collecting our pensions.

Niklas Bendtner worked hard, combined well at times, but his finishing let him down a bit, despite wearing more conservative footwear than in recent times. The fans get on his back, and he is not easy on the eye, but his work-rate did create problems for the visitors and he is still developing as a footballer.

Alex Song is also young, but should be doing better than he is by now. He gave away possession too many times and this experiment is one, along with the concept of Eboue as an Arsenal player, that time needs to be called upon. Song has had his chances and simply proved that Arsene got it wrong on this one. He does, at times, screen the defence well, but it’s the carelessness that might cost. Given the options available, it is probable that he will start against Roma in a week’s time. He will have to be a lot more careful with his passing than he was against Cardiff or Arsenal’s European adventure will end in early March.

Eduardo’s performance was heart-warming. Almost a year after that terrible injury, it was tremendously gratifying to see him look sharp and confident. He is the third goalscorer the squad needs if they are going to challenge for trophies. It was in this area that the club suffered so much last season after the Birmingham game with Van Persie needing time to regain his form and Adebayor hitting a dry patch.

When all is said and done, it was wonderful just to see Arsenal play in the way they are capable of. We haven’t seen it much this season and the disgruntlement has grown. If the team were consistently achieving results and failing to entertain, people might be willing to tolerate it more, but there have been so many draws. That is down to the creative spark going AWOL and last night the candle was re-ignited. Long may it burn.

Behind the bench, Fabregas sat next to new signing Arshavin. Cesc was big buddies with Hleb, so let’s hope he gets on equally well with the number 23. That kind of thing helps a team significantly. Arshavin’s introduction to the team will almost certainly occur on Saturday, almost certainly from the subs’ bench. However, with Eboue available again for selection, it will tell us everything about where this season is going to head if the Ivorian starts at the expense of Vela. Pick the players in form Arsene. Please.