If there were any lingering question marks in the minds of the many about how Arsenal would react to pressure, I believe they got their answers yesterday afternoon. Going into the match on the back of two wins, a draw and two defeats in their last five games in all competitions was not ideal. Knowing that their closest rivals had scraped a single goal victory at the home of another rival put them under pressure to get a win. Facing a team who were undefeated in sixteen previous games, a run that included thirteen clean sheets meant that it would not be a straightforward victory, if any win were ever such. The character of the players was under scrutiny and they passed the test, not with flying colours but with enough emphasis to ensure that they should not be doubted in that department.

The record books show a close margin of victory; they would not be wrong in that respect. Arsenal were the better team and whilst there could have been more goals, the truth is that we were at least one goal better than Chelsea. Had anyone asked beforehand for a prediction of a likely goalscorer, William Gallas would have been high up the list, the occasion made for him to reap some revenge on his previous employers, particularly in light of the acrimony surrounding his departure from their services.

Gallas would also be high up on the list for Man of the Match, an award given too lightly in modern times. He led the team well; cajoling and admonishing in equal measure to exhort more effort from his teammates. In keeping with a scrappy match, his goal came from another’s error. Petr Cech will have recurring nightmares about how far away from Fabregas’ tame corner he was; Alex and Lampard will also question why Gallas was allowed to leap unhindered for a simple headed goal. The absence of any players on the posts makes you wonder quite how Chelsea has attained such a high number of clean sheets.

A momentary aberration or an example of lax defending? Who from Arsenal cares? It was enough to seal the victory and return the team to the top of the table. Had Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas not been returning from injury then one goal might have been three, the spaces left by the visitors as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, deserved harsher punishment than they got. Memo to Tomas Rosicky; running ahead of the ball and the last defender equals offside. Memo to Alan Wiley; when a defender puts his arm around a forward’s body, it is a free kick to the attacker or if he wrestles himself free, play the advantage.

Manuel Almunia deserves praise as well. He has learnt from the Middlesbrough game, his solid palm to the Obi Mikel’s shot pushed the ball far enough wide to render anything Shevchenko directed at him as tame. He also made other good saves, a straightforward tip over the bar at the end may seem bread and butter; in the late stages of an important match, they are not. It was a weekend where those who play down his efforts need to re-assess the constant criticism.

Alongside Cech’s howler, I still cannot work out which God van der Sar prays to for he made three clear errors and still got a clean sheet. Reina at the other end of the pitch ought to have stopped the ball reaching Tevez before he scored. Anyone who though that Almunia should have done better with the penalty at Middlesbrough and that Artur Boruc would have saved it needs to see the spot kick he failed to keep out at Inverness this weekend. That is not to say Almunia is the long-term solution. He is improving and may yet prove to be that solution but as much as technique, goalkeeping is a fragile position and all of them ride their luck or are prone to mistakes. The key to it is keeping the fates on your side.

The returnees brought a revived verve to the performance. Mathieu Flamini hustled and bustled; Hleb and Fabregas brought their vision to the game. Their absences highlighted more by their appearances. They were not perfect; no one was particularly in the second half where the ball was treated with as much love and affection as a plague carrier all those centuries ago. The concern for Hleb flared again following Obi Mikel’s challenge but that appears to have been nothing. All showed that their physical fitness is nothing to be concerned about, simply a case of getting their touch back in tune.

John Terry had been reckless and endangered Fabregas minutes earlier; he received a visit from Eboue’s studs as he cleared the ball, following through and kicking the downward trajectory of his boot. Hard to feel any pity for the Chelsea captain as his performance to that point was typically boorish and uncontrolled. Eboue though played well; pushing Chelsea backwards on the right, rendering the Coles not quite ineffective but marginalising them nonetheless. A shame that his injury appears quite serious and looks likely to keep him out for some time.

Up front, Adebayor’s work-rate cannot be faulted. Criticisms of him seem to me at least, wide of the mark. Comparisons to other strikers are also wayward; Torres missed three straightforward chances on Sunday and is presented with as many chances to score yet has not matched Adebayor’s domestic total. It is following a similar pattern to that which he had at Atletico, scoring twenty in all competitions but only around fifteen in the League. We have been spoilt in the past with Henry and are looking for Adebayor to be the same player. He is not nor do I suspect will he ever be. He is more likely to be a twenty goal a season player which if he is partnered with another who reaches the same total, is a good return between them.

A good afternoon’s work, three points achieved and the pressure is returned to United for next week. How many of the team will appear at Blackburn is a moot point. Keeping the key players fit for next weekend is the important issue.

‘til Tomorrow.