So Jose Mourinho has a theory that Arsenal were in cahoots with Old Trafford to play for a draw at Stamford Bridge? You could say many things about the Gunners at Chavski yesterday, but I don’t think you could accuse them of having any other game plan that simply trying their best to compete with a far more experienced and expensively assembled side that, in all honesty, are a lot cuter tactically than Wenger’s pups can possibly be for a number of years.

What you can say is that it was a giant performance in terms of spirit and commitment from a team that featured a back four with an average age of 21, with only two outfield players older than 23. And one of those (Hleb) is hardly a veteran at the age of 25. What pleased most is that, under difficult circumstances, these boys showed real spirit and grit. It was a huge ask, and there is no question the Gunners rode their luck, but few neutrals would deny they deserved a point. Mourinho should hang his head in shame that his team of superstars cannot beat what was not far off an Arsenal reserve team. Three of the first choice back four injured or suspended, no Henry, no Rosicky. Travelling fans headed for SW6 in hope rather than expectation, looking forward to giving Cashley Hole some well-warranted abuse given his lack of respect for the club that made him the player he is. That was certainly the only reason I attended a place where I am loathe to add to the financial coffers by purchasing one of their over-priced tickets.

Still, it felt like money well spent. Interestingly, the small-minded mentality of our hosts was aptly demonstrated by their replaying of their own chances on the big video screens, but not Arsenal’s. “And they talk about class,” said Neil Barnett (the man with the microphone who led Charlie Cooke round the pitch at half time) when we chanted ‘Who Are Ya?’ at the Chavski old boy. I would like to be able to tell you that they didn’t replay the Arsenal goal either, but in honesty I was so lost in celebration until the game re-started I can’t verify my suspicion that they probably didn’t.

It was good to watch the highlights again on ‘Match of the Day 2’ when I got back after some post-match celebration (and a draw there was worthy of that given the side we put out) in one of the more friendly pubs within walking distance of the ground. I was especially pleased that Gilberto’s role was highlighted by Lee Dixon as let’s face it, the ‘invisible wall’ is only ever really noticed by supporters when he makes a bad pass. And part of the reason that Wenger often now plays a 4-5-1 is so that he can accommodate both Fabregas and Gilberto in the centre. We do need both of these players, and it is difficult to play them together in a 4-4-2 unless you have a player of Bergkamp’s ilk that can take some of the distributive weight off of Cesc. And that type of player simply isn’t at the club right now, although Rosicky has the potential to become it. However, I frankly doubt he has the right physical attributes to play as a support striker – and it is easy to forget that Dennis was very physically strong in the challenge.

So it’s strength in numbers and Mathieu Flamini was the man to help out in the centre yesterday. Somtimes guilty of being a bit lightweight himself, in fairness the number 16 played with an almost Parlour-esque determination yesterday, and justified his place on the pitch, never shirking possession despite the limitations of his own passing game.

The main thing now is where we go from here. We’ve seen two spirited Premiership displays and the critical result in Porto, where a performance of a different type was required and our ill fortune in earlier continental encounters turned around (although events in Hamburg ultimately made the result meaningless apart from deciding the group topper). It’s obviously la la land to talk about the Premiership, but it would be nice to put some points on the board with a view to taking a bit of the pressure off qualification for next season’s Champions League. So it’s Wigan, Pompey, Blackburn, Watford, Sheffield United and Charlton. Eighteen points are up for grabs and the Gunners have dropped far too many already against these type of teams this campaign. There was a time when we’d look at this list of games and find it difficult to see the team could not garner maximum points. Times have changed though, along with the amount of experience Wenger has to call on. But a combination of the recent commitment and the decent football we know the team can play if they click might just make it a very good festive period indeed. Here’s hoping.