IN light of the Arsenal’s abysmal recent record against our immediate rivals, we were tickled pink to come away from Sunday’s game with three points, as it was looking like an encounter that was either going to leave us clinging to Chelsea’s coat-tails as a credible challenger, or battling it out with the also-rans for Champions League qualification.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger refused to blame goal-keeper Lucasz Fabianski for his side’s 2-1 defeat at Blackburn yesterday, instead accusing Rovers of “unfair” tactics and blaming referee Martin Atkinson for not providing the Gunners with more protection.