So Arsenal finally register their first win of 2018!
With a less than ideal but much stronger back line the additions of Mustafi, Koscielney and Monreal really made a difference early on in the game.
4 goals within 22 minutes and if anyone had dared to mention the name of the dearly departed..! Any Gooner today wouldn't have battered an eyelid.
Could it be that Sanchez was the reason Arsenal were not playing with the confidence, flair and style which wrapped up today's game early on?
It is often said that when a big name departs it creates a void for other players to step into. Well if that be true it certainly seemed to pay dividends for our home supporters today.
The goal barren Lacazete even managed to score on the end of some great Arsenal play.
For all of the woes and frustrations Arsenal fans spattered in the days leading up to today's game you would have thought Wenger would have waved the white flag and left peacefully but the cunning old fox still has some tricks in the bag.
To produce a performance like this when their backs were to the wall could be that old Arsenal grit coming back, but they managed it none the less and now with things in place almost certainly with them bringing in a Man Utd lost and forgotten wonder as well as Borussia Dortmund's star man could it spell their rise back into the top 4 before the seasons over and done?
Let's not forget they are still in one cup and one European competition so there is still the prospect of silverware and a place in next season champion's league.
Could this be the turning point for Arsenal and Wenger's saving grace? I'm sure every Arsenal fan across the world is hoping and praying so..
Only time will tell.
No1 Daddy