The glass half-full / half-empty analogy is applied, respectively, to optimistic and pessimistic stances on Arsenal's prospects. There's an alternative diagnosis, however. Before 'Hull Away', the half-empty brigade pointed to The Tigers' lowly league position, thereby reasoning that a Gooner victory was to be expected. The half-full synopsis, though, goes something like this: of Hull's ten previous Premier League visitors, only ManYoo had prevailed.

Unconvinced? Then you're a half-empty candidate, probably arguing that that's irrelevant as Hull's most recent form is more pertinent than events stretching back to early October. Yet Hull's two previous home games were the defeat of Citeh (2-1) and the Chelski draw (1-1). Perhaps ironically, these are the two opponents the half-empty brigade envy most, having as they do beneficent owners prepared to splash unimaginable wealth on star signings in the pursuit of silverware.

Despite a poor challenge on Denilson and an atrocious one on Sagna, the game's only casualty was Phil Brown. Hopefully he'll arise quickly from his sun bed to take charge of another group of top-flight northern cloggers. If not, the people's choice for Most Hated Manager in The Gooner end-of-season poll may be deemed invalid. Popularity of sorts, I suppose, and of a type that brings to mind a Terry Venables story. He and Jimmy Hill were walking pitchside at some un-named northern ground. As one, the crowd started: "Jimmy Hill, is a w*nker, is a w*nker." According to Venables, Hill turned to him, grinning, and said: "Listen to that... they love me up here."

"Is it a big game?" she asked on Friday evening. We were discussing her desire to (and the logistics of) spending the latter part of Easter in a Mediterranean location not too far from the delightful Spanish city of Barcelona. I've invested thousands of pounds and euros on a footballing education that has yet to yield tangible results. It's enough to try even Arsene's legendary patience.

If we do win the Premier League, it will be in the face of adversity, and I don't just mean financial ones alluded to above. We've now conceded seven penalties in 31 games. When Liverpool got all those trophies and refereeing decisions, they argued that they spent more time in their opponents' penalty areas. True, but so do we, yet only four penalties have come our way. Liverpool fans under 25 have a right to feel aggrieved at Sunday afternoon’s Old Trafford travesty. Ageing Liverpudlians elicit no sympathy, though. Not so much fun being the victim, is it? Hopefully I'll live long enough to see the Mancs get their comeuppance.