So, the run of clean sheets ended at The Hawthorns as we enjoyed the week's first 3-1 away victory. But also, mercifully, has the goalless streak, doubtless to the anti-Arsenal media's consternation. It's heresy to compare Arsene with George Graham, as the press revelled in doing. The Baggies' manager, Tony Mowbray, does a passable impression of the excellent Kathy Bates in the Steven Spielberg classic "Misery". If you've never seen it, do so. Mowbray is undoubtedly one of Arsene's biggest fans. The unbeaten run is now 16 matches (with 4 goals conceded in the last 13), or 19 if you ignore two away defeats by an effective second string in games of little consequence at Porto and Burnley. Villa, meanwhile, are on a winless run of six in all competitions (including four defeats) and face successive away games at Anfield and Old Trafford before Easter.

It is said that if one could travel quickly enough - i.e. faster than the speed of light - it would be possible to witness again The Battle of Hastings, when Harold got one in the eye. On Thursday night, at Sh*te Hart Lane, the assembled masses - probably upwards of 15,000, including a healthy and vocal Gooner contingent - glimpsed the future. And it looks very much like "business as usual" as yet another Arsenal team mashed a crop of Spuds. The win was thoroughly deserved, though in the balance as Tottenham had their best period of the game as extra time loomed. Overall, 3-1 did not flatter us and it was Harry's turn to take one in the eye.

At £1 per child, there were obviously a lot of adults clad in white wanting to indoctrinate "mini-me" into their dark arts. Better to instill in them at an early age what it's like to lose to The Arsenal, I suppose. It'll be second nature long before their teens. It struck me that a fair number of those present would not have been born when, nearly a decade ago, their team last beat us in a meaningful match. And many more spectators (of both sides) would be too young to remember that other historic event.

I won't reinvent the wheel as an excellent, unbiased match report had already appeared on the club website by the time I got home for the obligatory shower that follows such away games. What I will add, though, is that Wilshere, as always, looked pure class; he has so much time on the ball and it all looks so easy. But almost every occasion I see him he gets booked; at the Lane for a tackle that appeared no worse than several already meted out by Spurs players. Sound familiar? Along with the slick passing and over elaboration, this is another similarity with the first team, as was the inability to beat the first man from a plethora of first-half corner kicks.

Team sheets, which even little Fulham gave for free on payment at entry to the reserve match at Motspur Park last week, were £1 at Tottenham. Disgusted but not surprised, I desisted. At least this rabble are consistent, I suppose; even if the economy were not in deep recession, they'd still be sniffing out every penny that's "up for grabs now". A two-leg semi beckons for our next generation of stars against Citeh or The Canaries. They deserve a packed E******s for their home leg.

The future is bright, at least in one half of North London.