Arsenal today were simply magical. In fact really it was 8-0 becuase Bobby Pires had a perfectly good goal - a header no less, ruled offside. We could have had double figures today with the chances that were missed, but the performance was awesome.
I am not sure if it was a week's rest, all the talk of Barcelona, or the fact we have some new signings but Henry was in a different class, simply a pleasure to watch. His hat-trick today was his 8th for Arsenal and he is now level with Cliff Bastins record of 150 league goals.
Yes Boro were woeful. They had not won in 7 games and it showed, but our performance today was a good as I have seen for a long, long time.
Watching the game, even after about 10 minutes you got a sense that it would be a good day, and after Henry volleyed home from Ljungbergs cross after 20 minutes you felt we were on our way.
Only 2 minutes later and Philippe Senderos headed home to make it 2-0.
Our movement and passing was quick and incisive, and you started to wonder if we would get a few more goals.
On the half hour it was 3-0 when Henry scored his second, a nice through ball from Reyes and with the Boro keeper rushing out, Titi slipped the ball into the corner of the net.. Sublime.
Just before half time and Bobby made it 4 with the best goal of the afternoon a real quality finish, taking the ball to the edge of the box and then curling a chip into the net.
Henry should have made it 5 just after half time when Ljungberg cut the ball back to him in the area, but his shot went high into the North Bank.
Bobby then had his header from a free kick ruled out for offside, cunt of an assitant getting it wrong, but unlike the Chelsea game, this one didn't matter.
The Gooners were 5 up on the hour, when with an identical free kick to the one Pires scored from, we did the same again, only this time Gilberto headed home the keeper failing to keep the header out.
Henry completed his hat-trick when he was again put clear by Reyes, and just like the first half, he put the ball safely into the bottom corner of the net.
The 7th goal came in the 85th minute, significant, as it was Hlebs first goal for the club, so hopefully it will give the guy some confidence, he's looked a little off it since coming back from his knee injury.
Both Hleb and Ljunberg had chances to score more goals, Freddie can't buy a goal at the moment, not even in a 7 goal mauling of Boro, but at least today he looked like the old Freddie in every other department.
Something else worth a mention was the return of Ashley Cole, as it turned out to be a nice little run out for him, because he didn't have to do any defending. In fact I can only remember one 'Boro attempt which hit the bar and then Jens made a save from the follow up, but that was about it.
Good work Gooners
