A couple of people mentioned the name of George Graham to me in the aftermath of Arsenal’s victory over Liverpool. In fairness, I think by comparison with recent displays, if it was a slightly generous hark back to old times, it was understandable.

Arsenal didn’t concede a goal for the ninth time in 26 Premier League fixtures this season, and it took a great save by Manuel Almunia and some quality interceptions before that (and one after by Cesc’s forearm!) to ensure Abou Diaby’s goal went unanswered. Liverpool did create some pretty decent chances, but there seemed a lot more commitment to protect the goal than in recent disappointments.

The first half was pretty nothingy. Arsenal at times looked like eleven individuals rather than a team. I suspect another half time reminder of what was at stake may have had some effect, as the second half saw a vast improvement in concentration and application.

As Chelsea and Manchester United both dropped points last night, there is optimism in the air. Good. That’s how it should be. It may well be unjustified, as – for this observer – Arsenal have to go on a winning run from now to the end of the season to have any chance of winning the title after suffering six defeats and four draws. Last season’s champions finished with 90 points (Arsenal can get 88 if they win every game), losing four and drawing six. I don’t in my heart of hearts believe the squad have the necessary character to finish ahead of both Chelsea and United, but it is definitely a curate’s egg of a season and I hope I am proved wrong.

It is interesting that the 4-3-3 seems – to these eyes – to have morphed into 4 – 2 – 1 - 3, as Cesc Fabregas played ahead of two holding midfielders rather than one. Maybe this has been going on for a while, but there has been so little shape to Arsenal that I haven’t noticed it. I’m assuming the instruction to Diaby not to roam around quite so freely is a reaction to the number of goals that have been conceded. He certainly had a decent match last night. It looked as if the team had actually done a bit of work on defence on the training ground. Maybe, also, they sensed the anger in the crowd when it was perceived that 100% was not being given and responded. Frankly, they shouldn’t need the threat of raised voices to exert every last drop of energy, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Liverpool are invariably a tough opponent, and I was quite relieved to see Wenger’s team play a game that included a bit of the more workmanlike qualities that did bring success to the club under the days of George Graham. Granted, his players were not good enough to consistently challenge for the title after 1991, but they could raise their game for the big occasion. Last night was certainly a highly significant match for Wenger, as his team needed to re-establish momentum or risk slipping down the table. Momentum is so important in football, and Manchester United’s Carling Cup exploits featuring full strength teams in the two semi-finals doesn’t seem to have done much harm to their league form.

The decision to chuck the FA Cup at Stoke, so the rested players had enough in the tank to gain one point from the following three matches will seem more of a folly than ever when we enjoy the football-free weekend ahead. Let’s just hope that the subsequent trip to Porto witnesses a performance that will make the second leg a formality.

As for domestic concerns, it’s really a matter of game by game and see where the team end up. They should – given the run-in – have enough in them to remain in third place and avoid the risk of elimination in a Champions League qualifier. And if they can win every game of the 12 remaining, then things might get interesting. If you really believe they can do that, put a fiver on Arsenal to beat Sunderland at the bookies, and keep re-investing the winnings until the team loses or ends the season on 88 points.

I am pleased people are talking about Arsenal’s (albeit remote) chance of winning the title this year. Let’s see the players perform like champions in the making – demonstrating more of the character we saw in the second half last night – and as Wenger says, prove the doubters wrong. It’s what we pay some very expensive ticket prices for, so it’s time to shape up or ship out. Sadly, it does appear that William Gallas will do the latter this summer. It would be nice to see Ivan Gazidis use his self-proclaimed expertise in contract negotiations to tie him to the club for at least another two years. Hell, I’d give him four.

PS - Just received an interesting stat from Ian Snelling, a South Africa-based Gooner, in an email discussing the run-in and the potential return of Robin van Persie to the first team in April. He points out - We played 19 games before Van Persie's injury and scored 55 times. In the subsequent 20 matches without him, we have managed just 29 goals. Get well soon Robin.