Van Persie Cameo Adds Gloss For Knockout Gunners

Arsenal won 3-0 to ease through to the last 16 of the Champions League at Highbury last night against a mediocre Sparta Prague side. Godden and I attended, sat in the East Stand.. Godden foolishly predicted 3-0 Henry to score first and then failed to back it..

A sublime Thierry Henry goal and a Robin Van Persie brace ensured Arsenal's progress from Champions League Group B.

Henry struck midway through the first half with an exquisite curling drive from 25 yards as he latched on to Jose Antonio Reyes' pass.

Arsenal's dominance was clear and they probably should have been more than a goal up when Van Persie was introduced, but failed to do so due to a combination of over elaboration and total confidence in ultimately securing victory.

Bergkamp was guilty of missing 3 gilt edged chances. It's time Van Persie was given a chance to start.

Van Persie came on midway through the second half and the young Dutchman duly obliged with an expertly taken brace in the final 9 minutes. He and the lively Eboue caused Sparta all sorts of problems as the Czechs fell away in the last 10 minutes, Arsenal could conceivably had a couple more goals as Van Persie squandered a couple of hat-trick chances and Flamini missed a good chance, but 3-0 was a fair reflection.

Van Persie is starting to become a special player. When he has the ball I expect something. His left foot is as good as I've seen. Dare I say Brady-esque.

I was fortunate enough to have a word with another young prospect, Arturo Lupoli, before the game. Godden asking the prolific young striker 'So Arturo, when are you going to start banging in the goals for the first team?' to which the diminutive Italian replied 'As soon as the boss let's me!'.

Ajax scored twice in the 90th min away to Thun to deny us top spot with 2 games to go, but you have to think with Ajax at Highbury in the last round of fixtures and only a point needed, it's a formality.

Barcelona beat Panathaniakos 5-0. Eto'o scored a hat-trick and Mess, dubbed the 'new Maradonna' also netted. As did the man we should have signed, Van Bommel. They look dangerous.

United were beaten 1-0 by Lille. Tavlaridis, the ex Arsenal reserve team player starred in the centre of their defence. United have big problems. I read a good article by Miles Palmer saying they are in a much worse position than us. He's right. What's more, Chelsea will compound their misery at Old Trafford on Sunday.