Arsenal: Ooh to be a league leader

He always knew Ramsey was a phenomenal player, always knew he had it in him. Even his scoring streak was predicted by the great man. Ramsey has always been an exemplary player and individual, someone I am proud to support if only because they are good people (we have more of those in the team, I am happy to report). His work rate is up there with the very best and the way he works his way tirelessly between defence and attack is the very definition of the complete midfielder. Shawcross may have taken some of his progress away but Ramsey has now fully caught up and is becoming as good a midfielder as any in the world. That the press can’t even ignore that he has been the runaway player of the season so far says it all. Keep it up, Aaron, you disgustingly talented boy you.

Speaking of exemplary players, I am stunned every time I see Tomas Rosicky play. Another player whose work rate, tenacity and ability all shine through in equal measure, but I can’t for the life of me remember a player of his age who has that youthful exuberance about him. In the absence of Mathieu Flamini he seems to be doing a lot of running and tackling and, like with our run-in last season, he plays an active role in the defensive side of our midfield.

For a player we signed and played as the ultimate tippy, tappy, pretty, small midfielder, having him play a box to box role, hassling, harrying, is so good to see. When even such ‘delicate’ players (and Rosicky in the past was the ultimate delicate player, so silky smooth and talented) are becoming gritty, pressing from the front and actively contributing to a defensive side void of a destroyer, it warms my heart. No wonder Marco Reus (who himself is a big defensive help for BvB with his pressing game) is such a big fan. Rosicky may be 33, but I want him at the club for years to come. The same goes for Bacary Sagna, whose recent progression back into the monster of a RB has been nothing short of a delight, and I can see him maintaining that form for at least another two or three years. Arsene, some contracts warrant extending!

Now, I could write this article three times longer, by also mentioning how Flamini has been an essential signing, but still hasn’t managed to displace Arteta as the most important deep midfielder (the Liverpool game clearly showed that, in my opinion). I could go on and on about the qualities of Cazorla, of the incredible Kieran Gibbs and the fantastic performances of both Mertesacker and Koscielny. Needless to say, this team is doing so well at the moment, all the players deserve praise, they all deserve to be mentioned and a gushing review from me. But because I can’t possibly write that many words and risk alienating everyone reading this article, I want to discuss one more person. The imperious Pole in goal.

We have all had massive hopes for Wojciech Szczesny for years. His natural talent and self belief are second to none and in his own way he commands the penalty area with an arrogant swagger which, when carrying momentum, rubs off on the rest, but which, when not exactly in a good run of form, can lead to frustrations. Since his debut for the club his form has been erratic at best, at times proving himself with save after save, at times showing an uncertain streak in both the air and in the save which made us all wonder if Almunia and Fabianski had rubbed off on him.

The decision to drop Szczesny was a bolt from beyond by Wenger, a superb piece of man management when he realised that both complacency and a lack of confidence was killing the team. Fabianski played a few good games, got injured, and Szczesny, spurred on by the pain of being dropped, adopted a professional approach which has endured since then. Only in one game this season can I say that he wasn’t at the top of his game, against Villa, and that match was the sort of torrid time for the entire team that blaming only him would be unfair.

Since then however he has been superb. He dominates his penalty area with both size and confidence but his imperiousness nowadays also comes from calmness and a better understanding of the two central defenders in front of him. His distribution with his hands is top notch, constantly starting counters with quick throws after he catches, and his kicking has improved a lot since he started as first choice keeper. His routine ball to Sagna to head on has become a staple in our approach play but also Giroud has benefited from more accurate long balls in his direction. At the moment, Szczesny is up there with De Gea and Cech as the best three in the country. If he keeps this form up, we’ll have a dedicated and loyal goalkeeper for another decade at least. Times they are a-changing.

And indeed they are. Arsenal are looking superb at the top of the table, confident, resilient, gritty yet pretty, with players enjoying the game and each other’s company. The fact that so many of the players are likeable makes it even better. The fact that so many of the players were totally written off is even better. And then you look at the goals we score. Ramsey vs Liverpool. Both Ramsey goals vs Sunderland. Özil vs Napoli. All goals vs Norwich. Ramsey vs Fenerbahce. Both goals vs Swansea. These are well worked, well taken, beautiful pieces of football. The neutral can no longer ignore us. If we keep playing like we are, we can win the title, for real. And if we keep playing like this, we will win the title playing the best football this league has seen in years.

Now, we’re only ten games in, and we might suffer a drop in form. Who knows, maybe in January you will be laughing at this article. But momentum is ours. Next weekend we face ManU, at Old Trafford, knowing our midfield will destroy theirs, and we should hope our defensive side is good enough to keep out their rather unappetising front two.

Until then I shall bask in the glory that comes with such a good run, with such good football, and such good footballers. We have not had this likeable, this talented, and this harmonious team in years. I say we enjoy it, and long may it last. Up the Arsenal, and onwards to success!