Another blow to our defence (and attack) with Santos out until the new year. Looks like Djourou, Kos, Mertesacker Vermaelen across the back. And let's see what Arteta brings against his old club.

If City do Chelsea then we could take 4th - pretty amazing after the start to the season we had

3 points, 4th spot, Van Persie scores again.

Can't give a report because after staying up to watch the game i fell asleep when the teams were in the tunnel pre game.

But we got the chocolates on an important day for the club. Cracking volley for RVP and probably his 2nd best one ever.

I also stayed up to watch this one live, really glad I did, with all the 125th celebrations it put me in a really good mood.

I enjoyed the game with quite a few chances, But did start to worry abit after half time.. Untill the goal.. Which looked like from nothing, what a goal!! Persie again delivering such a outstanding goal!

Well worth stating up for, another 3 points and in the top 4, very happy!

Go the gunners! Please beat those rich Pr**k man city, would really top off this good form

Should of came to the Pig Bossey, we had a bit of support there. And a few Evertonians were there too. Wasn't the best game but what a volley, Awesome.

Good to get the points, although I'm a little concerned about our recent form.

With United and City looking to have the top two sewen up, there are only two other Champions League spots between at least four sides (us, Spurs, Chelski and Liverpool). We really need to continue our good form in order to be in with a chance.

We're lacking width with our full backs, and it looks like we'll continue without them until Christmas. That's going to be particularly tough with the back four having to play every match, including possibly through the busy Xmas period.

At least not being in any Cup competitions until the new year will help as we should only be playing one match per week for a couple of weeks.

Van Persie's strike was top class, but it was good to see Theo and Gervinho getting into scoring positions also. Hopefully they'll start converting some of those chances and it'll ease the pressure of RVP.

Good result - fantastic goal by RVP with a top assist by Song. We should have scored at least 1 in the 1st half. Walcott, Ramsey and Gervinho all missed great chances.

Lack of full backs is a worry. We are one more defensive injury away from having a real problem at the back.

Citeh will be an interesting test next week - they have lost their unbeaten run and will be keen to start a new run going. But it could be a good time to play them - given they've gone out of the Champions leage and lost to chelsea in quick succession.

Or that could be wishful thinking...