Wonderful, wonderful CO2-penhagen. As the globe's great and good gathered in a city with mixed memories for us Gooners, to discuss expensive solutions to possibly non-existent problems, we again shunned private jets, limos (and Beatles) when journeying North West for the second time in twelve days on Sunday.

The corollary to always seeking, and usually finding, positive aspects from defeats is the balancing requisite to "calm down, calm down" after a barely-deserved victory. Craven Cottage was a case in point in September, so was Anfield. At half-time, a rendition of "Please Please Me" would have been apt, so abject was our performance after a bright initial ten minutes (which everyone seems to have forgotten). Liverpool's continual niggling infringements were uncalled or not fully punished; yet again an Arsenal midfielder received the first booking, though this time it was Denilson, not Song.

Arsenal's Fab Four strikers were either long-term injured (RVP and Bendtner) or benched (Eduardo and that Vela fella). And it showed. I asked my friends what Le Boss might be saying in the dressing room; little did we know that he was being very un-Arsene. Perhaps he does have a Plan B after all. The half-time compere captured the nation's current mood. Two Liverpool-supporting penalty takers from Australia were introduced as financiers to general derision. Scousers are well versed in high finance, don't you know; they can calculate their benefit entitlements to the nearest penny.

Arsenal.com prepared for the match on Friday with not one but two ill-advised "interviews" with Theo, who stated that he has "always played very well there". One does not have to be deeply religious to squirm when someone tempts fate in such a manner. His first-half performance was dismal and one hopes it can be attributed to his serial injury problems this season. His presence was certainly crucial for the fortuitous equaliser. More bizarrely, though, he apparently has "fond memories" of our Champions League Quarter Final defeat. Hmmm. Methinks that's a reference to his amazing run for Adebayor's tap-in, following which we over-celebrated and conceded a needless controversial penalty moments later. Perhaps he also has fond memories of supplying Arshavin's fab fourth in last season's league match, after which we again over-celebrated (the match did not restart for more than one minute) and conceded. Enough already.

Only at close quarters can one see the latitude afforded Gerrard on Merseyside, not unlike Rooney at Old Trafford, though the vile one finally got booked for a blatant dive against Villa on Saturday. As an aside, Wayne has far more dexterity than detractors of his physique realise. Time and again he lands spread-eagled in the box, yet is able to gaze at the referee on impact. He must practice in training. The occasional yellow is a small price to pay for all those penalties awarded, as is the odd slapped wrist for Fergie for berating an official. On Saturday it was the fourth official's turn but I digress. Referees won't be so accommodating to England's finest in South Africa; remember that before visiting your local turf accountant to hand over your hard-earned savings next June.

Many Blue Moons ago I lived close to Maine Road. This was my first visit to Middle Eastlands and a very impressive stadium it is, too. Top Young Guns Tom Cruise (get it?), Craig Eastmond, Kyle Bartley, Aaron Ramsey, Fran Merida and Jack Wilshere all started against Sparky's First XI and dominated possession (61% v 39%). It took two second-half wonder-strikes by seasoned internationals to beat them. We should be proud of our boys and our London Colney set-up. Unlike the celebrating Citeh fans, we must look beyond the headline result. An official hoarding opposite the directors' box, at club level height, read: "Manchester thanks you, Sheikh Mansour". What a bunch of narcissists and sycophants - the perfect match?! Blue moons and brown noses, if you will. Pity City, I say. And pray that a similar fate never befalls our great club, dear reader.