Fabregas and Van Persie serve up a treat

As Club Level members tore themselves away from the a la carte selection on offer, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas were serving up a treat of their own, and unlike last weekend there were no tricks in store for the Gunners who held on to their lead on what was ultimately a comfortable match at Halloween.

Van Persie's excellent touch and Fabregas' poise in midfield helped to light up what was a lacklustre and nervy first 40 minutes, but two goals in a minute towards the end of the half changed the game.

Just as the fans were contemplating the half-time rush for free beer, van Persie put Arsenal one up, a deft touch dispatching the ball past Heurelho Gomes from a pinpoint low-cross from Bacary Sagna. Cue delirium even among the most corporate of the corporate section.

There was hardly time for members to lift their coat-tails and de-crease their scarves than it was two. Van Persie stole the ball from Wilson Palacios and Fabregas raced onto it, first dancing around Tom Huddlestone then cheekily sliding it through the legs of Ledley King. As he raced towards goal Gomes came out to narrow the angle but the Catalan dispatched a delicious shot into the bottom corner. It was a treat even El Bulli, Catalonia and indeed the world's most acclaimed restaurant would be proud of.

There was much discussion at half-time as to whether Arsenal could hold onto their two-goal lead given last week's collapse against West Ham and famously having let a 4-2 lead slip in the same fixture last season.

What also struck me was the number of 'football tourists' at the match. Travelling to the match by tube I struck up conversation with a group of Norwegians just here for the match, there were also a number of German and Spanish-speaking guests obviously going to the Emirates for the first time. I also spoke to a Taiwanese gentleman who was also here just for the game. I was slightly worried that this would have a negative impact on the atmosphere, but it was better than it has been for a long time, even Arsene Wenger agreed, throwing his jacket down in frustration at his inability to converse with his players due to the noise of the fans, now that must be a first.

The Gunners came out in the second half to rapturous applause, shamefully however, as always with a swathe of red seats visible in Club Level. They were filled far quicker than usual though as members sensed a special victory over their closest rivals, not in squad quality Mr Keane, but in terms of distance.

Fabregas continued to control the tempo of the game from midfield and van Persie's control and strength upfront continued to cause problems. While at the back Thomas Vermaelen, commanding as ever, and the vastly improved Gallas stifled the threat of Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane which had threatened on occasions in the first period.

A comeback looked unlikely, and it was extinguished completely on the hour. Eduardo was fouled on the Arsenal right, Mark Clattenberg, the referee, waved play-on but the players all seemed to hesitate, Sagna was the quickest to realise and took one touch before sending a low cross into the box. Gomes seemed certain to take control but could only palm it away and van Persie tapped into an empty net. Game over.

Eduardo could and really should have scored two of his own soon afterwards. First he had an effort blocked by Gomes and then he was through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but opted to shoot low instead of lofting the ball over the Brazilian.

Ramsey also had a late chance, racing onto a long ball by Fabregas, Sebastien Bassong pulled up and the Welshman seemed unaware of the time he had and put in a tame cross instead of taking the ball closer to goal.

In the end though Arsenal fans would not complain at the scoreline and were left to savour the taste of another victory of Tottenham.