And Ashburton Grooved at last ...

The Arsenal 3
(Gallas 65th, Jagielka o.g. 69th, Henry header! 81st)

Sheffield United 0

(OR How The Arsenal Grooved Past Flailing Blades)

The Arsenal celebrated the onset of Ramadhan with a patiently worked victory over the latest of surly visitors to the Emirates Stadium, Sheffield United.

Taking the cue from what seems to be a Visiting Teams' Handbook to Ashburton Grove, Neil Warnock opted for a 9-man bastion to stubbornly defend the Blades' holy of holies.

Warnock seemed to have noted that in facing the Gunners, the teams preceding his had all opted for what in the Second World War is termed, a Hedgehog (and what Mourinho calls "parking a bus in front of goal").

Warnock would have noted also that out of all the Gunners' opponents this season, only Man Ure, with the confidence borne of four previous straight wins, chose to play an open, attacking formation at Old Trafford - and got duly pounded in the process.

Thus, with Sheffield United desperately treading water at this early stage, one could well understand that Warnock in marking his 1,000th game would take the path well-trodden, with some encouraging results, at least for his predecessors.

And for 65 long minutes, the Blades held out despite flowing attacking play by the Gunners down the flanks and some decent crosses into the box - one from the impressive Toure producing a rare gem, that is an impressive Henry header that was well saved by Ian Bennet.

But crumbled the Blades did - Henry's flick into the box was touched down superbly by Cesc Fabregas for William Gallas (the only defender in the world in a no 10 shirt?) to blast home at short range.

Shortly following that, Jagielka's own goal from an innocous Henry's cross sealed the game as Sheffield had no choice but open up the play.

Henry's headed goal (definitely a collectors' item - less than ten in existence) from Eboue's accurate cross (oh my God, another bloody miracle?!!) crowning not a spectacular victory but a patiently crafted win over dour opponents.

And Ashburton Grooved at last ...

Footnote: I put this win to considerable divine intervention. I mean, two Henry headers and one Eboue cross that actually found someone? Thank you, God ...