Well, suddenly all seems to be rosy in the Arsenal garden once again. After a horrifically dour and passionless three or four months, the old entertaining (yet still equally frustrating in front of goal) Arsenal seem to have returned. The team have swapped the infuriating goalless draws with exciting, net busting games. From being two minutes away from being a bone chilling eight points behind Villa in fourth, the team are now three points clear, with a far superior goal difference, in the quarter finals of the Champions League with as good a chance as any to reach the semis, and looking forward to our first visit to the new Wembley.

The impact of Arshavin has been crucial to this upturn in form. He looks dangerous whenever he gets the ball and always looks to make things happen. This in turn has seemed to inspire the rest of the team to rediscover their passion and ability. Arshavin’s creativity and eye for goal also eases the pressure on the impeccable Nasri’s young shoulders, and we look like a much more balanced side with them both on the wings and drifting in and out of the centre of midfield. I have been surprised by how quickly Arshavin has adapted to English football, but this shows what a quality player we have on our hands.

Eduardo’s continuing disjointed recovery has brought experience, and goals to the team. I doubt he will be playing regularly until next season, but he clearly hasn’t lost any of the potential and class we saw a glimpse of last season. That goal against Burnley really was something to behold. On the topic of injured players however, I am getting increasingly concerned about young Walcott. I just hope these recurring injuries don’t demoralise him too much because in the few games he has featured in, he looked like a much more complete player. As for Tomas Rosicknote, well, I’m not holding my breath for a return at all. On a positive note, both Van Persie and Diaby appear to have managed to stay fit for a while, and Diaby’s presence in midfield is very reassuring.

A word now for three much maligned Arsenal players, Messrs Bendtner, Song and Eboue. I think the criticism received by Bendtner after the Blackburn game was needlessly aggressive. Sure, the lad should have had about four, but his approach play and positioning was top quality. He’s shown against West Brom and Newcastle that he knows where the goal is, and I think we would be foolish to let him go. Song put in two of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt against Burnley and Blackburn and at last looks like a footballer. As for Eboue, well what can I say? His impact from the bench has been highly impressive. I really feel he is a useful impact player, there is no way he should be starting, but he can stretch tired defences when coming on late in games, so maybe he does still have a role to play in this bizarre, mismatched Arsenal squad.

The Champions League draw is certainly intriguing. Villarreal are a solid team, as United showed in the group stages with two 0-0 draws, and of course it will see the return of super Robert Pires and the slightly less super Pascal Cygan. Over two legs however, I would back us, which would lead us on to most probably United, and I honestly don’t think Fergie will cherish that tie. On our day we have the beating of them and given their sudden display of fragility, I don’t believe United have the ‘easy’ route to Rome all journalists seem to be claiming. The FA Cup is more attainable of course, and a Wembley final would be most welcome.

So this season of anger, frustration, booing and pessimism could well end in Champions League football once more, an FA Cup, and I’m not ruling out us winning the Champions League. Stranger things have happened.

In Arsene we trust.