What a win.

A huge three points in the Saturday sunshine, what’s not to love?

I am completely head over heels for this Arsenal team. I am completely head over heels for Mikel Arteta. No matter where we finish, the turnaround of this squad in such a short space of time has been nothing short of extraordinary.

This team is so Arsenal in all the right ways, but so not in all the right ways too. We play fantastic flowing football, but partner this with a previously unthinkable ability to grind, and hold out games.

It was our first early start for a while, and now Harry is off travelling I had to make my way to Hitchin on my own. I made it, not without a scare though as the alarm that I set for the time the train was set to arrive in Hitchin (as I knew I’d fall asleep on the train) only went off about 15 seconds before the doors closed.

We set off from Hitchin at about 9am, sunshine beaming down on us as we joined the M1 (or M6, I still get confused).

The drive was pleasant, and thankfully seamless. We parked up on a muddy hill, which could only remotely pass as a car park because of the two people walking around in Hi-Vis jackets. Still, Layth thought the fiver charge was “cheap”. An hour and ten until kick off, which gave us time for a stroll around.

It’s a fantastic ground. Having been one at the top of my list for this season, it really didn’t disappoint. Properly old school, yet without having the feeling of being outdated. The Holte End in particular is a marvellous sight with the sun beaming down on it. 

Layth parted ways with me at my gate, as he had to bite the bullet and sit in the home end after some ticket troubles. I made my way to my seat in the upper tier, completely alone for the first time this season.

I was sitting literally in the back row of the upper tier, right next to the stairs up to the commentary box. I actually got in early enough to see Steve McManaman dawdle up the metal steps, thinking of what dross he might say next.

I didn’t mind the back row. It gave you a great chance to see the ground in all its glory, as well as a refreshing new perspective on the game. I wouldn’t like to be sat up there every week though, I think the novelty of ducking under the roof and its beams to see the opposite corner may wear off eventually. 

The atmosphere in the away end was fantastic. There was no hangover from Wednesday, and thankfully there was none from the team either.

That’s the other thing about this squad, is I’m so confident in their mentality and ability to bounce back - something I haven’t really ever felt in a team before.

We were really impressive in the first half, playing our fantastic football again. Smith Rowe was great, and combined really well with Xhaka before the ball was switched for Saka to create a great chance for ESR/Laca. We were dominant in the opening 30, without being ruthless. It’s no surprise that the goal eventually came from probably our most ruthless player.

After a well worked free kick routine, the ball fell to Saka on the edge of the area who hit it well through a crowd of bodies to beat Martinez. Scenes in the away end, and probably in one seat in the upper tier opposite us all. There’s something about goals in front of an away end that make them more special. The two in the first half against Norwich really stand out to me as being similar, as well as Ø’s at Old Trafford (despite the result). Anyway, 1-0, HT, and to be honest, we were cruising. 

The second half was tougher. Villa hadn’t played in midweek, and Arsenal having given their all on Wednesday really started to show in terms of fatigue, most notably in Laca and Saka who were later substituted. Villa had much more of the ball, but were unable to create any meaningful chances as Arsenal’s steely defence held strong.

Nketiah and Pepe came on to freshen us up, but I think put us in more trouble than they got us out of! Holding also came on to form the now famous 5-2-3, but he didn’t really have anything to deal with. I was obviously shaking with nerves, but the only real scare was when Pepe (top idiot) gave away a free kick in a dangerous position in the 94th minute. Thankfully Leno parried clear, and the away end erupted in unison. 

It was a real party atmosphere. Having gone four without a win the last time we lost in the league, it was a real relief to get back on the horse so quickly - especially with a two week break coming up.

The players and the fans recognised this, and the togetherness again was abundantly clear in the celebrations. Arteta even stuck around for a minute or two to applaud the Arsenal fans as they sang his name over and over again.

There is no higher praise for an Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger only very occasionally got his own song (and you know what he did!). He’s not on his level yet, but Mikel certainly deserves the plaudits and appreciation he is getting right now. 

It’s so nice to be invested in my club again, to actually passionately care about league results in March again. It finally feels like proper glory can return to the Arsenal again, there is a gleaming light at the end of a tunnel. As we saw on Wednesday, we aren’t quite there yet, but for the first time in years we aren’t far off.

The players know it, and the fans do too - hence why the current connection and togetherness is the best it has been since Highbury. Two weeks without the Arsenal now, but I think this break will be good for us after a really tough six days.

Palace awaits in two weeks.

Until then, Gunners.