What made tonights result even sweeter was the fact that the two main heroes, Baptista and Aliadere, had the two biggest question marks hanging over them. After tonight they have certainly earned themselves a stay of execution.
Almunia - 8 - An excellent performance, handled the ball well and pulled off some fine saves.
Hoyte - 7 - One of the more senior players in the team tonight, defended well and got forward when he could.
Toure - 7 - Worked hard as per normal, marshalled the back four well.
Djourou - 7 - Such silky skills for a centre back, ultra confident, which at times can be his downfall, but nailed on to be some player if he continues to learn.
Traore - 7 - Just a kid and another with immense talent, lost possession in dangerous areas at times, but that can be excused at this stage in his education.(Connolly 88)
Walcott - 7 - Looked lively and showed his pace on a few occasions, played a bit too wide for my liking. (Diaby 74)
Fabregas - 7 - Our midfield dynamo just kept going and going, as competitive as ever until the final whistle.
Song - 7 - By far his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, the boo,s boys had a quiet night tonight as he worked hard, used the ball well, put in some Vieira type tackles and scored just before half time.
Denilson - 7 - Another baby that looks the business, wait and see!
Baptista - 9 - Four goals and the first signs that there is some beast in him! Missing a penalty was the only negative in a dream performance that included an excellent dipping 25 yard free kick in front of the Kop.
Aliadiere - 9 - Wow at last the Aliadiere we thought we had on our hands all those years ago but who was then plagued with injury and inconsistency. It was almost as if he sensed this was his last chance and boy did he take it. He had a hand in everything we did and showed some superb bits of skill and his passing was to die for, all capped off with a fine goal.
Subs
Diaby - 6 - Good to have him back. (74)
Connolly 88
Subs Not Used: Poom, Lansbury, Randall.