I have felt that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have been the target of some unfair criticism from the football media in recent years. We have been an easy target for people like Michael Owen and Adrian Durham who have conveniently ignored all the problems, such as a crippling injury list and not being able to compete financially with all of the clubs around us, that the manager has had to deal with.
But the only way for the boss and the Arsenal players to really silence the critics is for the Gunners to win a really big trophy like the Premier League or Champions League. Punching above your weight does not seem to cut it these days, but Arsenal have gradually been answering those doubters and putting right all the weaknesses.
From signing big name players to keeping hold of the best ones we have already got, from adding the firepower up front to strengthening the midfield and firming up the defence and then last season we sorted out the big away game blues.
But there was still one big stick being used to beat us, or Wenger at least, and that was his record in games against Jose Mourinho. That has now gone as well after the win over Chelsea in the Community Shield, so is that the last mental block gone? What else can Arsenal be accused of?
Of course we now need to go and win the Premier League but have Arsenal now answered all those little questions about the reason we have not won it in years?