“I think the work ethic, the movement and pressurising the ball in high areas pleased me most. We have worked on that a lot as a club during pre-season and I was really pleased with that side of it.” Neil Banfield, speaking after the reserves’ victory over Fulham (with thanks to Ian Tanner for bringing this to my attention).

What is interesting about the start of this campaign is indeed the workrate of Arsenal’s players, which begs the question, when ‘pressing’ as it is often referred to, is so obviously effective, why the hell start using the tactic in 2009 when the side has been off the pace for several seasons. In a sense the supporters have been cheated, as the very least the highly paid players should do is work up a bit of a sweat to earn their money.

As I’ve strayed onto financial matters, the money received for the two players sold to Manchester City was earmarked for the current squad’s wages in the event that they failed to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League and the attendant £40 million that will bring into the club. However, now that Celtic have been dispatched, Wenger has money burning a hole in his pocket, and it is absolutely key he realizes that – in particular areas – the squad lacks depth in quality. And he must, must, must buy, unlike last summer.

Granted, it has been a fantastic start to the season, but injuries to either of the centre-backs or Alex Song will significantly weaken the side. We know the latter will be elsewhere for the best part of two months after the New Year, and is hardly likely to return from the Cup of Nations refreshed and at the peak of his powers.

Last night’s line-up indicates that the manager is already rotating, a gamble which he pulled off. I do not believe Andrey Arshavin already needs a rest after his summer break, so the decision to leave him on the bench really gave away how little Wenger rated Celtic, a view that was justified by the final scoreline. When he tried the same trick at Wembley last April, many of the crowd were firm in the belief that the manager had finally lost his marbles, and that belief was certainly borne out by the result!

Still, the team’s willingness to pressure the visitors when they had the ball meant that Celtic’s chances were limited, and the defence that lined up was a totally different and far superior one to that which had proved so porous in the FA Cup semi-final. Up front, Bendtner switched to the left wing, with Eboue as the right-sided forward of the three. It was good to see Eduardo back. Undoubtedly, he dived for the penalty, a moment that might come back to haunt him in future matches as officials may be less inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, such trickery has become part of the game and the only way it will be restricted is the use of video evidence after matches have been played to punish the perpetrators. Until then, it’s a case of – well everyone’s doing it, so why shouldn’t we? Doesn’t make it right though.

I am still not convinced by Abou Diaby as one of the three midfielders. He can be a bit casual and – when it comes to tackling – at times uncommitted. He pulled out of a challenge in the build-up to a Celtic goal that was ruled offside, a few minutes after playing a dangerous pass across the edge of his own penalty area which was picked off by an opponent. Such moments can cost dear in closer matches. I doubt Cesc Fabregas will return for Old Trafford if it means that he can be prevented from joining the Spain squad. If his national side can call him up regardless, then it won’t make a blind bit of difference and I suspect – in that case – we’ll see him.

It was interesting that for such an important game, the club’s three biggest stars did not start, either injured or on the bench. It was a bold move, but the manager obviously sees keeping all the players he intends to use as involved as possible as the way to go. Was it a seamless transition? Four changes from the eleven that started against Portsmouth, and a positional one with Eboue moving from defence to attack. Against the kind of opposition faced in the last two matches, you can only put it down as a success. But tougher tasks lie ahead.

It’s been the kind of start to the season fans could only dream of. An unenviable opener against Everton revealed a new Arsenal, such a contrast to last season’s. The Celtic tie was potentially very difficult, but the way the team performed in the first leg showed they can go a long way in Europe if they keep their discipline. So far, so good. Momentum has been established, confidence is presumably high, even the Barcelona-style formation is working out due to the way the players have adopted the ‘pressing’ tactic. Saturday is the big test. It will tell us a lot about how the rest of the season is likely to shape up.

And in the meantime, the manager has to get busy with the chequebook and foresee the inevitable problems a long campaign will present him. Wenger said in May that he will always work to his budget, and if he had £100 million he would spend it. Unless the club are massaging the accounts, then money’s now there – maybe not £100 million, but certainly enough to buy three or four very decent players . Go buy, and increase the chances of success. This is not speculating to accumulate, this is a choice between money sitting in the bank and winning silverware.

Finally, a word of praise for the Celtic support. Never stopped backing their team, even when the game was obviously gone. They deserved the cracking strike from Donati as the end of the match, and from what I saw, gave no cause for concern either before or after the match. Well played to them.

Kevin Whitcher is the co-author of ‘Arsènal: the Making of a Modern Superclub’. The book can be bought by onlinegooner readers in paperback direct from the publishers with a £1 discount offer on the already discounted price. To take advantage of this offer, Click this link, select ‘buy now’, and on the next page you will have the opportunity to enter a promo code. Enter the word ‘gooner’ here and the amount is recalculated to £4.99. So, a £1 saving. Postage and packing (£2.49 in the UK) will be added before you complete your order.