Can’t put my finger on why, but before the match yesterday, there was a feel-good buzz in the air in the streets around Arsenal. Maybe it was the sunny weather, or the excitement of the forthcoming cup commitments, or even the belief that Arsenal have at long last turned the season around for real. Or even the prospect of seeing a trio of players who have missed significant parts of the campaign through injury return (once again in Theo Walcott’s case). Maybe it was the hunger to see the team after a fortnight’s international break. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.

Whatever the reason, it’s how matchdays should feel. The opposition may have been Manchester City, not a glamour team yet. But the touts were asking silly prices for tickets and, it appeared, getting them. There were a lot of people looking for tickets and not many floating around. And it was a pleasure to watch a match in bright sunshine.

As for the game itself, it was a case of you can only beat what’s in front of you, so it’s difficult to draw too many conclusions. City missed Stephen Ireland, Robinho was jet-lagged and largely ineffectual, whilst his colleagues played to a similar level without the excuse of a flight back from South America as their preparation. You have the feeling that a number of them anticipate being part of a clear-out in the summer and are unmotivated.

Even so, they could and should have scored during the first half when they enjoyed a 15 minute spell with a number of chances. The Gunners can feel thankful their opponents’ finishing lacked accuracy. It could easily have been 3-3 at the interval instead of 1-0 to the Arsenal. Wenger set his team up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Fabregas more advanced in the centre, ahead of Song and Denilson. If it was designed to offer increased protection for the backline, it certainly needs a bit more work. For Arsenal, there is no doubt that attack is the best form of defence. Fabregas did add quality going forward, not least his chip to Adebayor for the second goal. Hopefully, by the time he regains full match fitness, his team will remain active on three fronts.

Of the other returning players, Adebayor did what was required of him. You can’t argue with two goals. His workrate has been criticized this season, but if he’s finishing chances, then he can get away with the perceived lack of effort. Theo Walcott got himself into some good positions in the second half, but in matches that are tighter, it will cost the team if his finishing is as profligate as yesterday. But he was a constant threat, and if he can remain fit will terrorize opposition defences with his pace alone.

A few words about Andrey Arshavin. Thank goodness his command of English is as advanced as it is. The player is a real talker, constantly communicating with those around him as to what he wants from them. That’s experience and it has been patently lacking this season. What a difference he has made to the team and how unfortunate he is ineligible for Tuesday evening’s trip to Spain. He is still adapting to the amount of energy a Premier League match can take out of you, and has quiet spells in the second half when he is catching his breath. But in the 80% of the match he is fully involved he makes such a difference to the team. The FA Cup is the cup in which he can represent the team, and in truth, that fact probably means that Arsenal have a better chance in that competition than in Europe.

Another reason for the buzz in the air yesterday may well be the possibility that the club have a number of huge matches in the next two months, if they can progress in the Cups. Having a busy calendar with games against top teams is what Gooners want at this stage of the season. That starts on Tuesday in what will be a difficult consignment against Villarreal. I suspect Robert Pires will come on as a second half sub, but from memory of watching the team in La Liga this season, Llorente is the huge danger and a man Arsenal must try and keep quiet. They are organized and hard-working, not unlike their neighbours Valencia, and we can all remember how that team have cost the Gunners in years past. Some regard the tie as one of the easier draws, but in truth, any team in the last eight of the Champions League is worth its salt. Let’s hope the feel-good vibe remains by the time of second leg on Tuesday week.