Theo Walcott is a player really growing in confidence at the moment and his double in Arsenal's 2-0 win over FC Basel will have done him the world of good.
When he was selected to start against Chelsea last time out, I questioned his selection, but his performances in that game and the Champions League class with FC Basel have been superb.
If Walcott and his team-mates can maintain this level of performance consistently in the coming months it could be a very exciting season, but it is still very early days yet.
Although the tempo of the game dipped a bit after the break, the first-half performance by the Gunners was of the highest quality. We may not have been playing the toughest of opponents but, I have to give credit where credits due, it was still a great display.
Arsenal opened the scoring after just eight minutes through Walcott's thumping header. Alexis Sanchez raced onto a great ball from Santi Cazorla before sending a first-time cross into the box. Walcott sprinted into the box to meet the Chilean's cross with a fine powerful header to give Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik no chance.
Arsene Wenger's men were in total control and putting together some excellent passing moves, with the same confidence as which they had dispatched of Chelsea in their last game. It was a joy to watch and it was hardly surprising when the Gunners added a second after 26 minutes and again Walcott was at the heart of it. The forward passed to Sanchez before running into space and receiving the ball back from the Chilean in time to fire a shot in off the far post.
The score could have got worse for FC Basel had Vaclik not put in a great performance, with the goalkeeper doing well to deny Nacho Monreal, Sanchez, and Hector Bellerin before the break.
The second-half wasn't quite at the same tempo, but Arsenal still looked in control for large spells. Alex Iwobi, who again looked lively, saw his shot go just wide.
Chances were few and far between for FC Basel, but they did come close to reducing the deficit through Birkir Bjarnason, but the Icelandic midfielder saw his effort excellently tipped over the bar by David Ospina in the Arsenal goal.
Arsenal were unable to add to the scoreline as Sanchez sent a shot wide, but the hosts still got the job done by getting all three points and now sit joint top in Group A following PSG's 3-1 win at Ludogorets.
GROUP A
There is still plenty to play for in Group A, but Arsenal can be pleased with their start of four points from a possible six.
With a double header against Ludogorets coming up next in their Champions League campaign two more wins look likely, although we must make sure not to get complacent and to not underestimate our Bulgarian opponents.
Unless some shock results happen, it does seem likely that our home clash with PSG in the fifth round of fixtures will be the game that decides who finishes top and second in the group.
But we mustn't rest on our laurels and we need to make sure we get the job done without any silly mistakes but, all in all, I am happy with the start we have made to this season's Champions League.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Recent performances are certainly very encouraging for Arsenal and if we can keep up the same high level of tempo, intensity, skill, hunger and determination, then things will continue to look up for us this season.
But we need to just take each game one at a time and not get carried away. A trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley awaits in our next Premier League game and, although we cannot underestimate the Clarets, I am quietly confident about this one, especially with the form Walcott, Sanchez and Ozil are in at the moment.
My only minor negative from the recent matches is that we haven't seen new signing Lucas Perez get more of a run out but, when the starting players are all playing so well, it is hard to make a case to drop anyone at the moment. The competition for places is intense, but that is a good thing surely.
Let's make sure we do to Burnley what we did to Chelsea and FC Basel, dominate, play well and, above all, win!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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