Theo Walcott and Arsenal Find Their Rhythm in Time for Premier League Kickoff

After an Emirates Cup showing that left Arsenal supporters with far more questions than answers, today's 3-1 victory over Manchester City in Helsinki will encourage the Gunners ahead of the new season.

Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey showed moments of undoubted quality, particularly with his assist for the opening goal. Bacary Sagna offered a reassuring presence at right-back, and French striker Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score with a sumptuous lob.

But at the heart of everything good about Arsenal today was their England international winger, Theo Walcott.

Much maligned in the past from Arsenal supporters and continually by those of rivals, the 24-year-old gave a typical performance full of pace and dynamism, offering an outlet to his side from the right flank.

However, a player often criticised for a lack of a footballing brain also showed a seemingly newfound intelligence and maturity with his positioning and passing. His wonderful goal and two excellent assists were a more than decent haul for an excellent individual showing.

Make no mistake: Walcott is a danger in the final third. His terrifying pace and clinical finishing are a proven potent cocktail, helping him become a key component in Arsene Wenger's 4-3-3 formation in recent years.

14 goals and 12 assists in 32 league matches in 2012-13 were his reward for an increase in consistency, the first time he has reached double figures in goals for the north London club. He took only nine minutes to show that goalscoring nous here, drifting in behind ex-Gunner Gael Clichy before impudently chipping over Joe Hart.

Nonetheless, today saw Walcott with increased aspects to his game and the appearance of a more rounded performer than we're used to seeing.

Rather than merely hugging the touchline and looking for the direct route to goal, hanging on the shoulder of full-backs, Walcott showed a preparedness to venture away from his channel. He drifted into central passing lanes on a number of occasions, linking with the likes of Ramsey and Jack Wilshere.

Ramsey's goal encapsulated Walcott's wanderings perfectly. Arsenal's No. 14 took a pass in the hole and  slid a cutting return through the City defence for the on-running Ramsey, who finished coolly.

Throughout his 90-minute showing, the England star posed a multitude of problems to Manuel Pellegrini's side. It was emboldening to see him perform with an intent and apparent want to not just wait for the game to come to him, but also to actively seek out the ball and to make things happen himself.

Such desire was showcased in Walcott's second assist of the game for Giroud: His physical gifts and desire allowed him to reach the ball ahead of a challenge, and his technical quality permitted him to arc a high ball over the City defence into the path of Giroud, who finished with aplomb.

This sense of optimism is a far cry from feelings of the past week for Arsenal fans. Ally the displays against Galatasaray and Napoli with their lack of spending this summer, and it's easy to see why some sections of the clubs support have reservations over what they can achieve in the coming season.

Equally concerning was the strengthening from the likes of City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool at the top of the table—even more so in the face of Arsenal's own frustrations thus far in the Luis Suarez transfer saga.

Now, the Gunners head into their opening Premier League fixture of the 2013-14 season at home to Aston Villa with a renewed sense of belief after that pretty poor Emirates cup showing in front of their own supporters, who left the stadium somewhat dispirited last Sunday evening.

This latest on-field showing will enhance their belief that a (minimum) top-4 finish or even (whisper it quietly) a title challenge may be a possibility in the new season.

And the individual performance of Walcott will have offered as good a reason as any to believe that Wenger's men can contain enough of an attacking threat to sustain an assault at the top of the table in the coming campaign.