That's a relief. Now we can concentrate on the (Europa) League.

[Sir C]

Lordy, but that was a shïtshow last night! I think dear old Per has petrified, such is his immobility, while the sheer ordinariness of the rest of the side was shocking.

Meanwhile, the repeated extensions of Walcott's contracts over the years now seem more mystifying than ever. He's now played for us for a year longer than Dennis did, four years longer than Henry or Cesc and twice as long as Pires. And yet his longevity appears to be in indirect proportion to the affection with which he is regarded.

Has any footballer ever stolen quite as good a living?

I managed to avoid to to be honest. I could feel a disaster looming.

I like Theo. Such a charming young man. We could do with a few more of his sort around the place. Set a better tone, you know.