Following Arsenal's last domestic fixture in which they overwhelmed Manchester United 3-0 the Gunners put three past newly promoted Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening. With Bayern Munich just on the horizon Arsene Wenger will be happy with his team's performance in which they showed once again their frightening offensive prowess. So what did we learn from this performance?
1) Alexis Sanchez is Arsenal's true talisman
Much of the summer from an Arsenal fan perspective was spent desperately looking up to the heavens in hope of a world class striker arriving amongst their ranks. It was not to be, yet Theo Walcott has deputised impressively in the striking role this season with Olivier Giroud also looking threatening coming off the bench.
Nevertheless, it is the Chilean showstopper who is the true talisman of this Arsenal team. He took his tally to 10 goals in his last 6 games for club and country against the Hornets with a well taken finish and once again displayed his unquestionable ability.
He leads by example from the left hand side and in times of need he is the one who looks the most likely to deliver just like he did Saturday evening. Arsenal's title challenge will hinge on Alexis.
2) Ozil showing his true colours in an Arsenal shirt
Throughout his Arsenal career thus far the £42m German has been subjected to his fair share of criticism and at times it has looked justified. His disappearing acts in big games were becoming a real concern for a player of his ability with his languid running style was something which attracted moans and groans from both fans and pundits alike. However, it finally seems if the former Real Madrid playmaker is turning his fortunes around in North London producing his second consecutive man of the match performance against Watford.
Ozil recorded two assists in the match, his second being a perfectly weighted cut back for Giroud to easily dispatch, but his overall performance especially in the second period was particularly impressive. He drove Arsenal forward with his laser guided passes and illusive close control carving out chances as if they were going out of fashion.
His two assists recorded in the match also meant that Ozil is one way from equalling the assist record set by Juan Roman Riquelme (181) at only 27 years of age, a phenomenal achievement. Arsenal fans are finally seeing the player they were promised when he was signed on that 2013 deadline day and he is a player who can make the impossible possible.
3) Giroud still has a big part to play this season
Theo Walcott is now rightfully the first choice striker after his recent performances but the Englishman struggled against a well drilled Watford defence and it was the introduction of Giroud which helped Arsenal coast to victory in the end. The Frenchmen's goal was beautifully set up by Ozil but Giroud was in the right place at the right time like he has regularly throughout his time at Arsenal.
He like Ozil has had his fair share of critics but his physical strength and goal scoring abilities will most likely prove to be vital weapons if Wenger and his men are to mount a serious title challenge. Teams will now look to frustrate Arsenal's awesome lightning quick attack by sitting deep and in times of need they will have to look to Giroud to try and unlock the door with his more unorthodox style.
He may not be the most sensational striker in world football, in fact far from it, but he is a priceless asset to Arsenal at this current moment if he is utilised properly as he was against Watford.
4) Bellerin and Coquelin are without question the real-deal
It is rare to see two players have such meteoric rises within the same squad and in the same season but that is just what happened in the last campaign with Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin. Both carried on their impressive form against Watford with Bellerin recording a brilliant assist for Aaron Ramsey's goal and Coquelin once again adding the essential steel in the heart of midfield alongside the crafty Santi Cazorla.
Bellerin has without doubt usurped Mathieu Debuchy as the first choice right back in the squad and it seems Coquelin has now proved consistently for a prolonged period of time that he really is the answer to Arsenal's defensive midfield conundrum.
The duo have become the unsung heroes of this Arsenal team and they demonstrated against Watford that their roles within the set-up have become so crucial that they simply cannot be replaced if fit. Bellerin has added a new attacking dimension to Arsenal's right hand side and Coquelin looks more like a leader every week, positive signs for arguably Arsenal's finest squad in a decade.
5) Gabriel and Koscielny should be the starting partnership
Ending on a rather negative note the only slight downside to Arsenal's performance was at times Per Mertesacker. For large parts of the match he was his calm self distributing the ball from the back but when he was put on the back foot he really did struggle. In the 20th minute the German was caught napping as he tried to step up for a through ball but instead was caught out and had to rely on partner Laurent Koscielny to bail him out with a timely interception to prevent Odion Ighalo from slotting home.
It seemed every time Watford targeted Mertesacker he was unable to cope, his lack of pace regularly cause's defensive issues and now seems the most logical time for Gabriel Paulista to become a first choice.
The Brazillian has had an impressive start to the season and seems every bit a Premier League centre half with his pace and tenacity two traits that Mertesacker simply does not possess. He has been a loyal servant to the Gunners but his time as an undisputed first choice should be drawn to a close sooner rather than later.