A rare glow of efficiency lights up the grove.

There is a suspicion that the frequency with which we normally create chances has led to the complacency that we normally associate with Arsenal's finishing. Fortunately the relatively sparse nine attempts on goal that we mustered on Tuesday were greeted with a very welcome sense of urgency. Perhaps Wenger needs to coach less creativity so that the players don't presume that no matter how many chances they miss, they will always get another opportunity.

Shakhtar approached the game in an extremely negative fashion, preferring to maintain possession in their half to risking a more progressive pass. They did defend well though and we could not find any rhythm in the first period despite finishing it two goals to the good.

The first came courtesy of a goalkeeping howler. Fabianski's opposite number looked to have taken a comfortable catch but he fumbled it and dropped the ball at Alexandre Song's feet. Song attempted an audacious flick which hit a defender and rebounded off our newly less defensive, defensive midfielder into the net. Song's willingness to go forward does give our side an added dimension and is a refreshing change from most sides' reliance on a holding midfielder but does also cause problems against better quality opposition, as we will undoubtedly discover on Sunday at Manchester City.

Just before the interval we doubled our lead following another innocuous cross which Shakhtar failed to clear. The ball fell to Nasri who guided the ball away from a challenge with his right foot before rifling a shot straight through another hapless effort from the Shakhtar 'keeper.

It had been a forgettable half but our rare ruthless streak had all but secured the points. We added another soon after the restart when a Shakhtar defender bundled over Djourou in the area. He had already been warned by the referee before the free kick but was still man handling Djourou as the ball was crossed in from a free kick. Cesc Fabregas, following a successful but rusty return, rifled the ball into the top corner, wished his mum a happy birthday and was promptly replaced by Denilson. The captain obviously needed a run out before the City game and will now hopefully be able to return to form on Sunday.

Jack Wilshere still had to put his mark on proceedings and did so with an outstanding one-two with Rosicky which was followed by a delightful chipped finish into the far corner. Surprisingly it was his first goal of the season but his unexpected prominence in this campaign has helped to bring a positive attitude to the Arsenal faithful. Wilshere's energy and quality in midfield have been a marked improvement on Denilson's and Diaby's less committed and less consistent efforts.

Chamakh then became the first player to score in six consecutive Champions League matches after Nasri's pass found him onside with only the keeper to beat. Our new signing even had time to look across to the linesman before comically prodding the ball into the net for our fifth. He has been a good signing and is still improving in every game he plays but perhaps he would not have had his chance had a former Arsenal forward not suffered such an unlucky break.

The reason many Arsenal fans had been relishing the cold journey to the Grove on Tuesday evening was the chance to say goodbye to a player who's career in north London was cruelly cut short by injury. It is a story which still brings a lump to the throat but Eduardo proved that he still has the quality which persuaded Wenger to sign him in the first place. He guided a superb finish past Fabianski and for once, Arsenal fans were not upset to finish without a clean sheet and the goal was celebrated with as much gusto as any of the five that had preceded it, even the announcer joined in the touching, belated goodbye. Eduardo kept to his word and didn't celebrate and it was a timely reminder of the respect that true professionals can still generate from the ordinary football supporter.

Photo: Action Images

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