Arsenal away. What was the score? Lost 4-0 Lets move on, we have plenty more winnable games ahead. A not unexpected first defeat at The Emirates this evening, it was just unfortunate that after we started to get a foothold in the match, a flukey deflection led to Sankofa fouling van Persie to give away a penalty. How Mike Riley decided that it was a straight red is beyond me and that decision basically made the game a non-contest and from then on it was a damage limitation exercise.

4 goals was unfair on Scott Carson, who performed heroics in goal but the scoreline was made a lot worse by strikes with the last kick of the ball at the end of each half. The performance showed, if we needed showing, how hard a job Pardew has in keeping us up, particularly now without Darren Bent up front for at least the next 4 league games.

It was always likely that Henry would make his comeback tonight and he didn't disappoint by scoring his usual goal against us. The players collectively worked hard and at times played it around reasonably well but without ever threatening, Ambrose's 2nd half shot comfortably saved by Lehmann the only chance I remember us having of note.

Diawara was back in the side but had a nightmare frankly and although he does show signs of class and strength, he's had a shocking introduction to English football, not helped by having to play under 3 managers and have the chairman publicly slate him.

It was good to hear the travelling Addicks getting behind the team late on, we have to keep the faith and focus on the winnable games. We also desperately need some fresh faces because apart from one or two, the first XI almost picks itself and plainly they ain't good enough.

Opinions of those at The Emirates: BBC Sport; cafc.co.uk; Sky Sports; All Quiet.
Super Al: "I thought we had done well up to then (the 1st penalty). We had a game plan to try and stop them in break. "The decision against us was a triple whammy. One, he should have been given off side, two yards offside by the way...."  ¶ 18:45