One of Arsene’s observations, recorded on the 2001/02 double winning season video, was very much to the fore of my mind during this summer. Following the third defeat of that season, after an emotional referee influenced the match at home to Newcastle, Arsenal faced a trip to Anfield. They secured a 2-1 victory. Wenger described it as the moment the season could have ‘gone up’ or ‘gone down’; the win reinforced the team’s confidence and boosted our ultimately successful title challenge.

I feel a similar ‘tipping point’ has now presented itself to the club in this 2009/10 season. The four seasons ‘01/02’ – ‘04/05’ were each trophy laden seasons; the team finished 1st or 2nd in the Premier League on each occasion and won the FA Cup in three of the four campaigns. The two following seasons ‘05/06’ and ‘06/07’ could be regarded as ‘transitional’ seasons around the emotional laden departure from Highbury and the arrival at Ashburton Grove; successive fourth places and runners-up spots in the Champions League and League Cup respectively had witnessed the transformation of the team from one of predominantly experienced, seasoned internationals to one of predominantly young, exciting, if undeveloped talent. Season ‘07/08’ saw a spectacular start to the campaign ‘peter-out’ in the closing stages; ‘08/09’ can be viewed as a rather dour/tough campaign that unexpectedly and fleetingly promised hope in two Cup competitions; only to see those hopes crushed by the progressively dominant United and Chelsea. Hence, I feel the current 2009/10 campaign marks the moment of destiny again. It marks the point where the club, to paraphrase Arsene Wenger, could ‘go up’ or ‘go down’.

As we entered the international break, I feel there are some very good reasons to be optimistic. I have an ever growing suspicion that we could be back on the way up. August saw an impressive start to the season. Four wins from the initial four games and, despite the disappointing outcome, a very good performance at Old Trafford. For Arsenal to triumph this season we need the following five things to happen…

Firstly, we need our key established players (Cesc, van Persie, Arshavin, Gallas, Clichy, Sagna and Almunia), reinforced by the lone signing of Vermaelen, to perform to their best and remain injury free for much of the season. One cannot account for injuries, but it has been encouraging to see that, with perhaps the exception of Almunia and Arshavin, all of them have been on top of their game in the opening exchanges.

Secondly, we have to hope that last season's ‘debutants’ (Bendtner, Denilson, Djourou, Song and Walcott) really have grown and are able to introduce some consistency to their game. Again, the initial performances of Song, Denilson and Bendtner do indeed suggest that this is the case.

Thirdly, we have to hope that our fragile players (Rosicky, Eduardo and Diaby) can maintain their fitness for the majority of the season. The early form of Eduardo and Diaby is encouraging and we can only hope they enjoy a long injury-free spell in which they can truly deliver their impact on the squad.

Fourthly, we need that our youngsters (Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Gibbs and Fabianski) emerge and blossom when the opportunity presents itself. Gibbs was put under a lot of pressure by Portsmouth, but the early sights of Ramsey and Wilshere again provide a lot of hope and excitement.

Finally, we need our ‘rough diamonds’ (Eboue, Senderos, Traore) with Silvestre to remain at the club and prove themselves to be competent squad players, filling-in at crucial times during the season and giving invaluable if unspectacular support. Again Eboue has done just that.

The only blot to date in an impressive start has been the defeat at Old Trafford. Following the game I was naturally disappointed. We’d played very well, we were always on the front foot; we’d restricted United to a handful of chances and could easily have won. Both their goals were due to errors on our part. Almunia made a poor decision in conceding the penalty-kick and Diaby headed into his own net when under no pressure. However, Song, Diaby and Denilson had won the midfield battle; The back four looked disciplined and composed. Arshavin was a little peripheral to most of the activity and Eboue again frustrated with basic lapses of concentration. However, Robin van Persie was on-form, he saw a close-range effort deflected wide, forced an outstanding save, hit the cross-bar and had a late effort disallowed for off-side. Hence, perhaps it was not meant to be Arsenal’s game.

In fact, getting the first defeat of the season ‘out-of-the way’ was probably not too bad a thing. Often long unbeaten runs can become a source of pressure, early in the season. Now with a game in hand perhaps we can build a solid platform to the campaign away from the glare of the incessant spotlight. (Spurs, Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City can wear that mantle for a little while yet).

Hence, with August behind us, I perceive there is a very strong squad of players working hard towards returning Arsenal to the top. In fact, I think it is quite possible that we are witnessing the start of a very successful ‘09/10’ campaign. So I urge all my fellow Gooners to suspend their judgement until May 2010; to get fully behind this squad and cheer them onto victory. August 2009 may have just witnessed to start to one of the best campaigns in Arsenal’s history!