Excitement levels have not been this high for an Arsenal game for years

The headline may seem a little strong considering Arsenal were in a Europa League final just a couple of months ago but I believe this game really has got the Arsenal fans more excited.

The reason may well be because there is a renewed belief in the team that simply was not there in May, just take a look at social media and comments on here and you will see what I mean.

There is no way that Arsenal fans, myself included, would have honestly felt that they could have gone to Anfield and get the win in May or at any time before that over the last couple of years, but they do now.

The new signings have helped, the two wins from the first two games have helped and a sense of direction from the club has helped.

We all know it was bad right up to the middle of the summer that culminated in supporters groups and fan websites penning a letter to the Arsenal board demanding change, that seems a million miles away now.

To some extent the Europa League final was overshadowed by problems before the game due to the incompetence of UEFA but also the end of season collapse in the race for a top-four spot also dampened enthusiasm.

There is now renewed vigour among the fans and I stand by the headline of this piece, excitement has not been as high as it is today for a very long time.

Long may it last.