Daily Links: The pinch-me edition

What a weekend, eh? It seems like just about everything that could've gone right for the Arsenal did, with victory in a hard-fought away win at Swansea meaning that Spurs' draw with Chelsea leaves the club two points clear at the top of the league.

Like a boss.
Creative Commons / Gordon Flood

Manchester United's post-Fergie hangover is looking more and more like the kind that makes you blearily scarf down the greasiest food in the house and call in sick to work, which I think we can all agree is highly enjoyable - witness the 2-1 loss at Old Trafford to West Brom, who are to struggling managers what Aaron Ramsey used to be to dictators and troubled celebrities. (Not that Moyes is getting sacked, of course.)

Manchester City went from imperious conquerors of their crosstown rivals to hamfisted coughers-up of a goal advantage against Aston Villa in the space of a week, providing further encouragement to detractors of all things soccer from Manchester.

Of course, Arsenal can't get too comfortable - being two points clear, while a lot of fun, is essentially meaningless at this point in the season, and midweek visitors Napoli are apparently a little bit scary even to Le Boss. (The Guardian)


Robert Pires apparently just shows up at Arsenal's training ground sometimes to help out, which is a little bit like having Steven Hawking occasionally stop by to offer advice on your physics homework. (Arseblog News)

Sam Wallace says that Arsenal will eventually have to cope with not having Arsene Wenger in charge, or at least that's what I think he said before I stopped reading and went "LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" (Belfast Telegraph)

Meanwhile, Rob Hughes sings Wenger's praises and reminds us that he's kind of the best and most awesome. (New York Times)

Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny apparently like each other, though probably not as much as Mertesacker and Podolski. (Arsenal.com/Tumblr)

Charisma vacuum and noted horse whisperer Michael Owen says Arsenal aren't top four material, and then went and celebrated after scoring a practice penalty against a child, probably. (The Independent/The Telegraph)