Derby 2-Arsenal 6: No News on Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb

Arsenal ran out easy winners yesterday against bottom club Derby yesterday. It finished 6-2, but frankly it could have been goals galore for Arsenal.

It was Derby though who started out on top, and were a lot sharper in the opening 20 or-so minutes from the start.

Arsenal lacked rhythm to begin, but that was all to change.

A bad pass by the Derby defence allowed a neat one two from the front-man on the night Bendtner and Robin Van Persie, with Bendtner slotting home past Carroll for the opener.

Some more sloppy defending allowed Derby back on level terms a few minutes after to level—something that's become an all too familiar pattern for Arsenal towards the latter half of the season.

The last few minutes of the first half saw Arsenal retake the lead when Toure delivered a well timed overhead pass to a streaking Robin Van Persie who chested the ball down before crashing it into the back of the net. (This after he missed another easy chance one—on—one with Carroll.)

The second half was all Arsenal

Earnshaw though scored one more for the already relegated Derby.

Derby, however, ultimately were just cut to ribbons.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored three when he came on to start the second half for Van Persie who did not return due to injury.

His first was made by Theo Walcott who made a fine run on the right hand side, beat a defender in the box and squared for the telescopic legs of the Togolese to slide home.

Walcott scored a fine goal of his own, this time running down the left side and smashed home—this almost immediately after Earnshaw scored Derby's second.

The score was then 4-2.

Adebayor added two more before the close to round off the rout.

His three goals of the night were no.'s 28, 29, and 30—a splendid achievement for the striker. He has looked a bit non-plussed in recent months, but it was nice to see him get amongst the goals yesterday.

This was his second hat-trick of the season—his first coming in the reverse fixture. He may not quite be in the highest bracket as yet, but maybe we won't be saying that for long.

While it was a splendid display going forward, the defending still left a lot to be desired. To concede two to the bottom club—a club who is struggling to score, puts things in perspective. Arsenal really need to spruce it up if they are going to challenge for the title next season.

Maybe a certain Tony Adams could help us out.

While even the most ardent Gooner has given up their title hopes, Cescy still believes.

The PFA young player of the year winner said: "Nothing is impossible. We have to win the last two games and then we'll see. We are not the favourites, but you never know."

You have to admire his optimism, but really it would have to be a huge miracle and the most unlikeliest of possibilities for them to win from here.

But it would be wonderful wouldn't it?!

Cescy continued here and again pledged his future to the Gunners, saying: "I'm very happy at Arsenal and thinking about next season already. I'm sure we will be up for winning trophies again next year, and I cannot wait for the new season to start.

"It is disappointing how we were leading the Premier League at one stage and then lost our way. That should not happen at a club like Arsenal, but I still think we have been improving. It didn't happen because we didn't play well or didn't give 100 per cent - it's just a better team won."

Wenger saluted the performance yesterday saying that Arsenal are now stronger than they were at the start of the season, and saying we are paying now for a rough patch in March, he added:"I feel in this team you can score goals. You will always get good service, it is not only down to the strikers. Everybody tries to make life easier for the strikers."

"I think he (Adebayor) took advantage of the work the team had done in the first half, it was easier. We know he can score goals, he has now scored 24 in the league but Van Persie played well and Bendtner played well as well."

There's more post match comments from the man they call The Professor here.

There are no updates on the Flamini to Milan and Hleb to Inter story. Arsene has given Flamini time till tomorrow, and I can only assume that no news is the worst at the moment and we will not see the Flamster turn out in our colours next season.

As stated before, Arsene's prime objective after it all fell apart for us this season was to keep this team together, but that looks in serious danger with the impending moves of Hleb and Flamini, and we may lose out on Gilberto as well.

While Hleb may be replaceable with some one with more end product, I will be surprised if we manage to fill those big boots of the Flamster. Anyways we should find out if we do need to find someone for the Frenchman.

Until such time keep those fingers gnarled. So long!