Wednesday night in Highbury

It was the first Champions League game and perhaps a mixture of low key opposition, televisation and the sense that we've been here before meant that there was a rather muted atmosphere before the start of the match.

It only took a few minutes to change that, Arsenal without the services of Van Persie, Walcott, Diaby and Vermaelen simply dominated from start to finish. The Portuguese opponents, SC Braga, literally must have wondered what hit them. It was a great night, after two penalty appeals , one of which looked "half decent", Fabregas threaded the ball through to Chamahk who was upended by the keeper, and the referee pointed to the spot, Fabregas obliged.

Arshavin made it two, again Fabregas the provider. An audacious back heel from Wiltshere set up Chamahk for the third. In the second half Arshavin hit the post before crossing for Fabregas to head home the 4th, and finally substitute Vela hit numbers 5 and 6.

When Arsene Wenger started to make substitutions Chamahk and Song went off to a great reception. Song already established as a crowd favourite but Chamahk worked tirelessly , was always available and was a constant threat. The loudest reception greeted the introduction of Eboue who had previously acted as leading cheerleader. Eboue has great spirit and clearly loves his cult status, what a change from 18 months ago.

6-0 and a bag of chips after the game, can't beat that.