So when Arsene Wenger coyly suggested that there was some doubt over whether Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie were going to start against Blackpool, he wasn’t leading us on.

He did his best to warn us. All week Wenger remained sketchy on their involvement and even after the injury to Samir Nasri, he hinted that both Fabregas and Van Persie would start on the bench against Blackpool…

“We do not want to rush it. To have a good season you need a good preparation so we want to especially build up Cesc and Van Persie well. They came back on August 5 and you need three to four weeks preparation if you want to do well in the Premier League.”

There were clearly those who gambled on investment regardless – the margin of Arsenal’s victory today and the points bonanza enjoyed by Theo Walcott, will make that a bitter pill to swallow.

The 6-0 scoreline was somewhat predictable, particularly after the dismissal of Ian Evatt; few would have anticipated the impact of Walcott however. His hat-trick returns will likely start another bandwagon rolling, although his prospects surely offer little security now that Fabregas and Van Persie have returned; even less so once Nasri is fit.

Gareth Bale’s bandwagon looks to have a far more robust engine on it. His two goals at the Brittannia, one fortunate, one world class, will surely provide the catalyst for those thousands who found a reason to overlook him from week one to call on his services from this point on. Tottenham’s fixtures are strong over the next four (WIG wba WOL whm) and will surely see continued returns for Bale who has suddenly become an “untouchable” for Redknapp’s side. A vitally important player for Spurs, an essential signing for us Fantasy Managers.

As for Van Persie and Fabregas – they’re back now. Half an hour today saw zero returns for the skipper and a first assist of the season for Van Persie. Surely we can expect their names to find their way onto Wenger’s teamsheet when the Gunners visit Blackburn next time out? We can only wait on further coded messages from the “Professor”.