By Alan Duffy

Arsenal 7 (Seven)-1 Blackburn Rovers Premier League 4th February 2012

After a sustained period of dismal performances and almost no points, Arsenal needed to rediscover their mojo on Saturday if they were to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish.

On Saturday morning, I saw the list of potential managers for the England National Team now that it finds itself without a coach. The Euro 2012 is not too far away now, and the eyes of the world are on England, waiting to see who will take the helm amidst the international controversy. I couldn't help but wonder that Arsene's name was on the list, so I had to do a bit of digging to determine the probability of his being selected for the coveted job.

This January's Arsenal transfer news was relatively quiet at the Emirates Stadium, with Thierry Henry returning to the club on loan from New York Red Bulls and German teenager Thomas Eisfeld arriving from Borussia Dortmund for a modest fee.

However, activity has not always been this sedate at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger making some surprising and at times, blockbuster signings in January.

This January's Arsenal transfer news was relatively quiet at the Emirates Stadium, with Thierry Henry returning to the club on loan from New York Red Bulls and German teenager Thomas Eisfeld arriving from Borussia Dortmund for a modest fee.

However, activity has not always been this sedate at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger making some surprising and at times, blockbuster signings in January.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Naturally, I'm describing Arsenal's 2011-2012 season. I'm a nice guy, and I don't want to hold Arsene wholly accountable for the team's woes, particularly due to the simple fact that, well, that's what everybody else already does.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has launched his second scathing attack on the club's current group of players, pointing out that the likes of Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin, and Tomas Rosicky are simply not good enough to be Gunners anymore.

In a recent interview, Petit had criticized Arsenal for going from an entertaining playing style to one that was highly predictable following the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer.

Arsenal face a near impossible task in their bid to advance in the 2012 UEFA Champions League following their humiliation at the hands of Italian giants AC Milan last night. Outclassed in every department against experienced European opposition, an agitated Arsene Wenger condemned and lamented his side's performance - conceding that Arsenal failed to acquit themselves during any stage of the tie and were adequately punished by their superior opposition.

People tended to mock me in previous seasons for complaining about poor refereeing, but I moaned because I felt the decisions had a decisive impact.
It's one of the reasons the 'seven seasons without a trophy' line doesn't bother me. Go back to the 2008 season: with some better decisions we could easily have won the League and the Champions League.

The numbers simply don't lie: Seven years without a trophy. The worst Arsenal team in ten years. Arsenal appears to be in a state of crisis, but there are yet more questions than answers concerning any resolution. Arsenal fans are demanding to know whether Arsene had access to the fat reserve account, whether he should be the target of blame and villified or else forgiven.

In the wake of Arsenal's stunning come-from-behind victory over Tottenham, the Gunners' ability to secure a much-needed spot in the top four is still quite a valid concern. Arsenal fans are once again compelled to rejoice in a win that may or may not ultimately end up making the significant difference we would all sincerely like to believe it made.

Match Report Video By the numbers

I think we can safely say this morning that's just what the doctor ordered.

Three points, a good performance, and a day which brought no controversy, animosity, angst or worry. For a moment it looked a bit shaky, when Pedersen equalised with Blackburn's first attempt on target, but instead of setting us back it sparked us back into life and withing a couple of minutes we were two goals to the good.

I've got to admit, feeling like a loser has become a part of my identity, low self-confidence hard-wired into my DNA by virtue of too many years of hardship. On Saturday morning, as Arsenal destroyed Blackburn 7-1, I got to feel like a winner again. And it felt good. Really good.

In terms of pure bliss, I don't know that I've sincerely enjoyed any weekend of sports more than the past one.

Real Madrid wants Robin Van Persie. Look at my face: I am not happy right now.

Rather than just writing one opinion piece, I typically try to gather as much information from around the World Wide Web and condense it with my own commentary added. This week we've got Real Madrid pursuing Van Persie, Mourinho gunning for Arsene's job, Kieran Gibbs returns from a long layoff to strengthen the defense, and a hobbled Jack Wilshere all torn up about England's national team losing its coach just months before the Euro 2012.

Morning all,

the preparations for Milan begin in earnest now. The team travel to Italy today and the latest news we have regarding injuries and absences is that Per Mertesacker has gone to Germany to meet with their national team doctor regarding his injury. The German press say the results of an MRI he had here were 'inconclusive' but I suspect this is more about getting a second opinion than not knowing exactly how serious the damage is.

Well, that wasn't much fun was it. A few thoughts as follows:
* In some respects, I disagree with Arsene when he said that tonight was 'our worst night in Europe'. There have been much more painful defeats than this during his tenure: Chelsea in 2004, Liverpool in 2008, Barca in 2006.

Two to three years, that's the time that both Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger seem to have given themselves before they end their respective managerial careers. Although we have heard the "I am quitting" spiel from Sir Fergie a million ...
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The numbers simply don't lie: Seven long years without a trophy. Comments regarding the team's demise have been loaded with vitriol: "The worst Arsenal team in ten years," for instance. Arsenal as a team appears to be in a state of crisis, but there are yet more questions than answers concerning any resolution.

Arsène Wenger has never seen so much pressure from his own fans. His ability to manage this Arsenal team is being questioned, and according to some, he is losing his grip on the modern game. But is he the only one to blame?

The year 2006/07 saw a major introduction into the Arsenal unit.

This week, American businessman, billionaire, and possible future owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers Stan Kroenke flew into London in order to publicly express his full support of Arsene Wenger. Arsenal's board of directors has had some interesting topics to discuss, which include, but are certainly not limited to: Robin van Persie's future with the club, Arsene Wenger's future with the club, and the monies to be spent this coming summer all of which impact public perception of Wenger in one way or another.

Good morning, Sunday draws ever closer yet we wait for team news. This morning's Mirror says Koscielny and Gibbs should both be fit but also says that Koscielny has been called up to the France squad when he hasn't.

Arsene will meet the members of the press today ahead of what is being called the most important North London derby in his 16 year reign.

Tottenham's latest visit to the Emirates has to potential to be an uplifting and revitalizing game but it can also, just as easily, pile on the pressure.

Wenger can pick a strong side for this one as the players have had a week to recover from the previous fixture. Koscielny and Gibbs will be given fitness tests and I have a feeling both will get into the starting line-up even if they're on the edge.

North London Is Red

The perfect response on what was a testing week leading up to this North London Derby. The mother of all comebacks and a beating that they well and truly deserved. This was a performance of character and desire. Forget the win at Stamford Bridge, this sets the bar on a whole completely different level.

No Premier League manager has ever turned handshakes into such a pullava as Mark Hughes. In fact, if Mark Hughes and Luis Suarez are ever in the same room, a magnetic handshake field causes them to repel. The QPR boss is always turning basic post-game etiquette into minor diplomatic incident. Here's six of Sparky's best [.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojiech Szczesny has hailed skipper Robin van Persie as the best player in the Barclays Premier League, explaining that the Gunners have gotten used to the Dutchman netting multiple goals in almost every match.

Van Persie's goal in the 5-2 North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur may have been the best, and also the most important goal in the match, but Szczesny joked that it was surprising to see the league's leading scorer score only once for a change.