So is this Arsenal for real? Post match thoughts.

A word of caution before we proceed. The forthcoming piece will be marred with positivity and a cautious optimism not seen in these parts for some time. It shall be tempered with the reality of the fact that the season is only 4 games however we do have signs that there is quite possibly an upward trajectory for Arsenal sooner rather than later.

Arsenal came into their match on Saturday as the only team in the Premier League to yet concede a goal. Yet, it was against the backdrop of playing the two most deep-lying teams in the league and one former great team that is hardly a shell of it former self.

But just as that is used to discount them remember – Stoke away is never easy for Arsenal and Anfield away is never easy for anyone. Ask Manchester City who seemed to have made Liverpool their bogey team. As for Sunderland we can call that that one as first time together for a new unit.

That brought us to this weekend with newly promoted Southampton coming to the Emirates.  I warned caution against taking Southampton too lightly. Their start does not give an accurate picture of their ability. How hard it must be for a new premier league to get a sense of itself when in the first four weeks it has to take on both Manchester clubs and Arsenal. The computer was not kind.

Southampton had played both City and United very well. And for the most part of both those games looked the better of the two. However, they showed their naivete maybe as they switched off towards the end of each match to let their opponents snatch a victory. So thinking they would come up with a display to what we saw at the Emirates this weekend was not something I or many others (if they are realistic) imagined.

But from the get go Arsenal were at their direct best. They just took the attack immediately to the visitors. I was surprised at two things first Arsenal were set up in a formation that looked more reminiscent of of what Spain where trying to do at the Euros without a true forward in the squad. Heat maps of the match showed Arsenal playing in what I can best term as a 4-6-0. Gervinho found himself in the middle most of the time which based on his personal performance suited him very well. But Lukas Podolski also rotated in their from time to time.

At the start of this season, a lot of people had a big question mark over the head of the German international. Based on a lackluster performance at the Euros and his failed move to Bayern people thought this was a move Arsene might regret. So far however he has come up golden. This is a player who looks absolutely determined to get the ball back when ever he doesn’t have it. You only need see the dogged determination he displayed to set up the first goal to know that. Sure everyone thought that Cazorla would be great but the German likely due to a budding understanding of how the Spainaird plays is blossoming. He has fit right in at Arsenal and is a someone to watch as the season progresses.

But as effusive as this praise is are we a good team? Or is this praise unjustified based on whom are opponents are. I have to say I never buy into the argument that the opponent was a lesser opponent and you were meant to beat them. As we know all to well, overlook lesser opponents can have disastrous consequences. And considering the tough times some of the other top teams have had with lesser opponents – you never know what is going to happen. You can only play the opposition that the schedule presents you with.

And the next set of opponents should really tell us something. Specifically, are the defensive improvements we’re seeing as good as they have been. The likes of Manchester City and Chelsea will test that back four. They’ve both got creative attacking players that can make a team pay if you are not solid.  This will be a test.

A lot of credit is rightly being heaped at the feet of Steve Bould.  When Bould was appointed we reported that he wouldn’t have taken or considered the position unless he was given the ability to the job he wanted to do. By all evidence on display he has done that.

Alan Smith a former teammate of Bould was writing in the Telegraph that he sees similiarities between this version of Arsenal and the squad that had both Smith and Bould on it together.  That’s high praise indeed.

The question we asked was where are we as a club? Before the sale of Robin Van Persie there was heady optimism with him in the club and the signings we had brought in. A lot of that optimism waned after the sale of RvP and subsequently Alex Song.  The opening month of the season has shown that the optimism that was shown then was not wrongly placed. And that those who lost any optimism may have jumped off the band-wagon early.

Now, I don’t know if you can say that Arsenal are title contenders. To be the best, you have to beat the best and those challenges come early starting this coming weekend. What it is evident is that Arsenal have a squad that is better than many had anticipated.

The midfield might just be the best midfield in the league this season. Surely, the signing of Cazorla is showing signs of being the best signing of the season. The midfield has always been a source of abundance but not always strength for Arsenal. The midfield from 07/08 that many consider could’ve wont he title is either on par with or only slightly better than the one we have now. It is without a doubt the club’s strength and putting that midfield in front of the improved defense is only going to make things better.

But still tests remain but I am optimistic and so should you. Last year at this time we had already conceded 10 goals and scored 3. We had a -7 goal differential and were adrift. It wasn’t until November 5 2011 that Arsenal would even be a +2 in GD. Now four games in we are at a +7 GD scoring 8 goals and only conceding 1. It certainly is cause for cautious optimism.

As a fan I am always bullish on my club until the facts tell me otherwise. Right now, the facts are telling me we may in store for something more this season. However, questions still remain and I have bated breath waiting for Giroud to open his scoring account. We still don’t know whether Diaby can lost a whole season let alone a quarter of a season. But then again we are enjoying this success without the likes of Jack Wilshere or the best RB in the league, Bacary Sagna. So who knows what to expect.

As I said though, I am ecstatic with our performances so far. It’s on to the Champion’s League and a trip to the south of France to take on Montpellier. Diaby has travelled. Szczesny has not.

Now that we don’t have the annoyance of the early international break we can concentrate on building on the success. And I am looking forward to it.

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