Arsenal: Crisis? What Crisis?

I could not stop smiling last night.

After a shambolic display against Fulham, Arsenal came back with a vengeance against Newcastle last night.

Poor old Newcastle. Right from the first minute, they didn't know what hit them. Van Persie's darting run into the penalty area almost produced a goal if not for some controversial tackling by Coloccini.

Arsenal did not rest their laurels, Gallas threatened almost immediately by scuffing a shot over from a metre out.

By now, it looked like Arsenal were ready to come out and play football tonight.

Van Persie, who was so frustrating to watch against Fulham, rediscovered his touch which made him Arsenal's new flying Dutchman. He was in scintillating form. His off the ball running, his dribbling and his vision was second to none last night. And he was justly rewarded with two goals.

It makes you wonder if the Van Persie that was playing yesterday was a different being from the one that struggled at Craven Cottage.

The football that was on display last night was a showpiece of champions. The intricate one touch football, the off the ball runnings and the little flicks and tricks were a joy a watch for any Arsenal fan. No wonder, Newcastle's chairman Mike Ashley was seen downing a whole glass of beer during half time. He must have been wondering how on earth could his Newcastle team match even half of Arsenal's ability.

This being said, it is essential that Arsenal not be carried away by this success last night. Sure, it was champagne football at its finest. Wenger was seen off his seat clapping at every goal. I was wearing my Arsenal jersey and grinning away like an idiot infront of the box.

But after all this euphoria has died down, it's back to the drawing board once again. Arsenal were playing at home today. Against W.B.A, albeit not as brilliant as last night's performance, Arsenal delivered the goods as well. But Arsenal away and Arsenal home seem to be two different entities. Although it is too quick to judge their away form yet, there is a need to reproduce this form week in and out if Arsenal hopes to mount a sustained title challenge this season.

Everyone knows that Arsenal can play football. Even the commentator was making reference to how this current Arsenal squad is similar to Brazil in the 1970s. On the basis of one football game, Arsenal can be crowned EPL champions.

Sadly, this is not the case. There are still thirty-five games to play and realistically, Arsenal will not be able to deliver such a treat for their fans every week. Indeed, when it comes to rolling up their sleeves and getting dirty with sides who refuse to play football, Arsenal has still yet to convince.

This has been Arsenal's achilles heel last season. Wenger has said that he wants to rectify this. And he had better do it quick.

It has been three barren seasons now and Arsenal fans are clamouring for trophies.

Let's translate our brilliance on pitch into something tangible off field.