A Collectors' item: Bendner's hattrick and Clichy's goal

So all the hype about Leyton Orient coming to the Emirates and creating an upset ended with a leisurely win for the Gunners last night. Truth be told, I don't think the lads we out of second gear throughout the match. From their movements and morale, it seems like the defeat on Sunday was still very much in the minds. This is something we need to watch out for this Saturday because Sunderland is definitely no Leyton Orient.

The 5-0 scoreline flattered us a little bit because I don't think we were that good. Leyton tried to play us at our game and lost. Kudos goes to Russell Slade and his men for not taking the all defensive, all robust route to compete with the Gunners. Anyway which way, they would have still lost but in this manner at least they gained some respect from Arsene and the boys.

It was good to see Arsene give both Ignasi Miguel and Connor Henderson their home debuts for the senior team. I thought both of them played well, in particular Miquel. He needs to work on his bulk for next season and should be a great defender in the mould of Gerard Pique. Henderson show some nice touches but he was a bit passive and not willing to take the risk.Probably it was because this being his senior debut, he didn't want to commit any mistakes. I am sure we will see more of him in the future.

As for the goals, it is really a night for the collectors. When will you ever see a game again when Bendtner scores a hattrick and Clichy gets a goal as well. This being only the Frenchman's second goal in all his time with the club, it would probably never happen again ever.

Beating Sunderland on Saturday is a more immediate concern than Barcelona

I don't understand why all the reports on the injured players have focuses on whether they will be back to face Barcelona next week. There is a more important match at the weekend which is of a more immediate concern that next week's match. The result at Stamford Bridge yesterday meant that the Gunners are well within reach of the League title and we need to take every opportunity that the Red Devils present to us.

There have been too many times in the past that we failed to take advantage of the situation when the league leaders stumble at the top. Our home defeats to WBA and Newcastle came at a time when Chelsea dropped some points but we failed to close in on them. Now we have the perfect opportunity to close the gap to only one point. With United having to go to Anfield with only one recognized center back, there will be more opportunities for drop points. However, all this is immaterial unless we are able to take advantage of the situation.

Today's FA Cup replay is a bit of a distraction and I think the boss will field a second string side against the minnows. We should have enough in reserve to beat Leyton Orient but even if we don't I won't be crying over it. The FA Cup is now the least priority and with our injury list growing again, it would be a competition i would sacrifice for the chance of winning the other two.

Are we waiting to end the drought with the League Title

A positive thought crossed my mind after we lost the League Cup on Sunday. Yes it was a great opportunity to end the title drought after six years but may be is it a title worthy of that honour. Of course I am disappointed and this might sound like the ramblings of a sore loser but isn’t it better if we were to win the Premiership title as the first trophy of the Wenger youth project. It will certainly be the crowning glory to his many achievements here at Arsenal. Maybe that’s why it is fated we didn’t win the League Cup.

One thing’s for sure, the League Cup is not the end all for the Gunners. Earlier I wrote that we may suffer major psychological setbacks from a defeat at Wembley. We still could but I am hoping the lads can rise above their misery and carry on to continue the good work they have done so far. There is still much to play for especially in the Premiership and FA Cup. It would do nobody any good for the lads to be brooding over the defeat. The sentiments coming the dressing room is that they have gotten over the defeat so we shall see tomorrow if it is true. A win over Leyton Orient is a must, not only for progress to the FA Cup quarter finals but more so for the improving morale in the team.