Your editorial on Sunday was an over-reaction to recent events, some of my opinions on which I recently sent you. The list of injustices is even longer now. Given that my beloved Arsenal has just lost to the team I despise below all others, I’m feeling remarkably chirpy today.

Although the ‘who is better?’ question can help while away many a pleasant hour, preferably over a glass of decent real ale or good wine, it is an argument probably impossible to settle using statistics. That said, I think that Gael Clichy is far better than Cashley and that at Old Trafford he was Man of the Match. He’s frighteningly quick and it’s not for nothing that the equally promising Traore regards him as his hero. That’s telling. I think we have the full backs to take us on a level next season in Sagna and Clichy, who really wound up Rooney with that run through midfield near the end. The Fat One was not quick enough to execute the most obvious of fouls from behind, not that he would have been booked, of course.

As for not scoring goals - where are the goalscorers now? Look at the statistics. 64 in 34 PL games against 73 in 38 when we were Invincible in 2003/4. That is not a huge drop in averages; indeed it could be bettered if we add to the drubbings Derby and Reading have already received. My real ale glass is half full (a good deal closer to the brim than that, in fact); it appears that many fellow Gooners have half empty whine glasses. As for the rest - the Arsenal-haters - they just want to kick us whilst we are down and should be discounted. To central midfield and Vieira / Gilberto vs. Fabregas / Flamini. Didn’t Arsene answer that one in the latter pairing’s favour very recently, citing their extra “mobility”?

But one thing you said definitely tallies with my very recent thoughts, is worrisome and was even alluded to in the BBC’s website match report: Arsenal seem nervous / timid once they get a lead. During the Anfield match I joked to my mates that we’d scored too early. And yesterday after we led, we seemed to invite ManU on, albeit briefly. That said, Ronaldo was remarkably quiet; we gave him no more time nor space than we did our illustrious hosts in the San Siro. Yesterday many ManU fans conceded that we were the better team. In fact I’d be worried if ManU were the team I’d chosen at the age of seven (and probably felt duty-bound to stick with). Having spent another £70m last summer on Nani, Anderson, Tevez and Hargreaves - adding to an already strong squad - they were outplayed by the team Arsene produced on a shoestring. We serenaded the departing Mancs with a long rendition of “We Love You Arsenal...” and even the most one-eyed of them may have felt a little disconcerted after the match. During it one could feel the nervousness from the home fans as they realised their team was being outclassed by players that had not come to roll over this time.

For me the worst things about Sunday were the journey home (six hours to East London) and the predictability of the refereeing: the almost inevitable penalty followed by the soft edge-of-the-area free kick, superbly executed though it was by the Canadian. That is one thing that Arsene’s genius cannot change; referees are simply not afraid of Arsenal and our softly spoken Frenchman, let alone in awe, as they are with MUFC and their Glaswegian Git. And that takes me back two decades to when I worked in Manchester. Surly had just arrived and, I remember, actually said something with which I agreed. It was either the Charity Shield of 1988 or 1989 and ManU had drawn 1-1 with Liverpool, who had equalised through a dodgy penalty. Fergie commented along the lines: “It may be a new season, but some things never change”. Of course the power base has changed somewhat. ManU are now the officials’ favourites and, although Liverpool still normally enjoy the rub (Kuyt at Ashburton, Babel at Anfield), they no longer dominate this department - think Chelsea’s absurd penalty equaliser at Anfield this season; that would never have been awarded a generation ago.

On Saturday, as it was a “day off”, I went to The Valley. Charlton is an hour’s brisk walk from home and I was brought up in Hampshire and don’t want The Saints to go down. For £20 plus a £1 booking fee I got an excellent seat near the half-way line but, aside from Southampton’s bizarre goal - if you have not seen it make sure that you do - I got little for my money. Twelve years ago I may have enjoyed the game; but Arsene has raised my expectations somewhat and the afternoon was one of frustration, of imploring somebody, from either side, to get the ball down on the deck, and to pass it to a team-mate. Neither side strung more than a few passes together all afternoon. And this is far from uncommon outside the top flight.

For us, though, the future is bright. Keep the faith.

Ed’s note – Ian sent his response to my editorial to a Spurs supporting mate of his, Mike N. What follows is an exchange between the two. I’ll put the Spurs fan’s contributions in bold

Mike N: You’re more insane then I give you credit for, but whilst you have some tenable points you may have lost sight of the facts, I will recap briefly.

League - You drew four consecutive games against inferior opposition

FA Cup - You played a weakened team at old Trafford and showed disrespect to the tournament

Europe - You were unlucky to lose and did not have rub of the green but Liverpool have some eerie luck in Europe

Carling Cup - YOU WERE SLAUGHTERED BY YOUR LOCAL RIVALS WHO YOU SHOWED NO RESPECT TO

Maybe when you are feeling less sensitive you will concede the above.

Ian T: I disagree. Look at the facts behind the numbers. First draw was at Birmingham. Team distraught by Eduardo’s horrific injury. Birmingham’s first goal from a free kick that should not have been given (bit like on Sunday for the Canadian’s winner). Then Adebayor should have had a penalty when we led 2-1. Then, at the death, after a terrible (and rare) Clichy lapse, Gael recovered to get the ball but the ref gave the pen. Nothing we can do about a triple / quadruple blow like that.

Boro 1-1. Abedayor goal incorrectly ruled offside at 0-0. Then ex-Gunner Aliadiere’s is offside but his goal counts. Villa - Senderos own goal at 0-0. These things happen. Wigan - played on a cabbage patch and, just like Chelsea on Monday night at home, we drew. None of the above are crimes. Then to Chelski and Drogba’s first goal was offside at 0-1. Liverpool at home in League. Two second strings (sort of) did not play well but Cesc was fouled for a pen that was never likely to be given.

By the way, the “inferior” Birmingham team you allude to won a game 4-1 recently, I seem to recall. And Boro would have beaten the same cr*p outfit but for Grounds’ own goal. Look in the mirror, Michael.

FA Cup - you may actually be right. The message Arsene sent out with the team sheet was poor and we did lose momentum. But anyone can lose 4-0 to ManU if they are having a good day. But surely Arsene has, overall, shown respect for the FA Cup, with their record over the last dozen years.

Yes, we were unlucky to lose at Anfield but I disagree that Liverpool got the rub. That implies that on another day the decisions may have equally likely gone Arsenal’s way. I disagree totally. This bias to the big teams has been going on for decades, as I implied in my original email; and, as a supporter of another team who have been victims, I’m staggered that you do not recognise this fact. And it’s not just in Europe where Liverpool get “the rub”.

5-1 at Sh*te Hart Lane. But we’ve fielded weaker teams other years (2-2 and 3-1 AET last season) and won. ManU lost at home to Coventry City but nobody criticises Old Red Nose. And look at the stats at WHL. Arsenal completed 500 passes to Spuds’ 222, I recall. You should not get too ahead of yourself. This is not a new Spurs dawn. You are 39 points behind the leaders and 30 behind the team your fellow supporters hate so much. And this was the season you were going to take our CL place. One swallow does not a summer make.