Slick exhibition delights the Grove.
Despite ticket prices higher than the West End, fans of the Arse remarkably still get their money's worth nearly every time the famous red and white shirts take to the perfect green baize.
Although last night's demolition answered none of the questions that have been levelled at our team, it was still a kalaedoscopic showcase of football talent that will have left the rest of the world in awe of Arsene Wenger's philosophy.
The well respected South American football expert, Tim Vickery, witnessed his first European Cup game since 1992 at the Grove last night and was suitably impressed, you can read his thoughts here.
He was less impressed by the atmosphere at the ground but gives a very reasoned analysis as to why this is the case. With the return of the Clock and the warming familiarity of "we're the north bank" ringing out in the closing stages, there is a sense of belonging to our new home but it is still an incredibly well sanitised arena for football. Still, there is no better place to witness such high brow football.
We blitzed Braga in the first ten minutes and were soon ahead when Cesc Fabregas' perfectly weighted pass drew the keeper out to clatter the impressive Marouanne Chamakh. The captain slotted home the penalty and the floodgates were opened. Although Braga did manage to stem the flow briefly before Arshavin and Chamakh gave us a comfortable lead before half time.
Braga were very poor but had beaten Sevilla 4-3 to reach the group stages so credit must go to the Arse for making the task so simple. Jack Wilshere and Fabregas orchestrated the whole evening and if we can keep Cesc for another couple of seasons, his inevitable departure will be much less painful if Wilshere can continue his progress. The 18 year old's flick for Chamakh's finish was inspired and drew gasps of admiration from both the homes support and the visiting Arsenalistas. Braga took inspiration for their kit from Arsenal and their fans followed suit but surely they can only dream of their team ever matching the football we played last night.
The second half began in slightly subdued fashion and it seemed as if we might be content to settle on a very acceptable scoreline. Not with Wenger in charge though.
Whilst less entertaining teams would have been content to conserve energy and pick up three points, we quickly picked up the pace to add another three goals in the second half. First Fabregas headed home before Carlos Vela contributed two neat finishes.
It was a wonderful night of football which caught the imagination of a world-wide audience and a confidence boosting performance ahead of a testing trip to Sunderland on Saturday.