Here’s a couple of line-ups for you.

Lehmann – Eboue – Toure – Campbell – Cole – Hleb – Fabregas – Gilberto – Ljungberg – Pires – Henry.

Almunia – Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy – Eboue – Fabregas – Flamini – Hleb – Adebayor – Walcott.

Less than 18 months ago, the former eleven lined-up against Barcelona in Arsenal’s only European Cup final. Last night, four of those players started – one of them in a different position. And yet, you could argue that the football played by those that hammered Slavia Prague was as good as anything seen previously, despite the fact that there are far less experienced players in the line-up.

There is a revolution underway in north London and it may point to a revolution in English football. One in which teams that throw caution to the wind and go for it get greater rewards than those with supposedly solid defences. Whether or not that applies in Europe, time will tell. Remember that last season’s final was between Milan and Liverpool, two sides built on defence.

Yet Arsenal’s style playing either domestic or continental opposition at home does not seem to change. Granted, away they seem slightly more cautious, but so far this season, I don’t think I have seen the side go out and play for a draw in the hope of nicking one in any match. Numbers always get forward.

Last season’s Premiership trophy for Manchester United will hopefully prove a turning point. Not for a return to Old Trafford being a predictable destination for silverware but for teams that entertain winning the pots. The two Chelsea titles under Mourinho lacked much in the way of drama, excitement or even entertainment. And whilst United were in the process of winning the 2007 title, Arsenal were undergoing the transformation between the two line-ups mentioned at the start of this piece, as well as getting accustomed to a new home stadium.

Logically, if you actually get your head around the changes since Paris, 17 May 2006, Arsenal have no right to be even thinking about a realistic chance in either the Premiership or the Champions League. Yet of the seven changes between Barcelona and Slavia Prague, five were already at the club as understudies. So Wenger has been quietly building the current squad almost unnoticed, awaiting the clearing of the decks, and largely on the cheap.

It would be easy to remember a similar European Cup thrashing in 1991 – the 6-1 against Austria Vienna, and then the elimination to Benfica the following round. And then think let’s not get carried away by a heavy defeat of poor opposition. The Benfica defeat changed the way George Graham had his Arsenal teams play, something that isn’t going to happen with the current manager.

Slavia Prague eliminated Ajax in the qualifiers. They are no mugs. But at times last night it was knife through butter stuff, such was the quality of Arsenal’s attacking. And it is this that gives optimism that Moscow in May is possible. Because playing like this, the Gunners can score goals against any opposition. Naturally games will be closer in that the chances offered to Slavia should be taken by more clinical sides, but there is time for the defence to settle and tighten up. The first choicers are now all fit, so if they remain that way, come the knockout stages, a better understanding should be there.

I just have to keep pinching myself, because I keep getting this feeling that we are watching the development of a truly special team. One that – due to its youth – could actually leave a larger imprint on the world footballing memory than any previous Arsenal team, and even be up there with the greats from the past. Of course it’s early days, and a fortnight from now, everything could have gone pear-shaped. But I don’t believe it will. Maybe this Arsenal will not fulfill its promise, we can’t know. But no-one can question that the seeds of greatness have been sown. Let’s enjoy watching them grow.