By Adam Crafton

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'We are top of the league,' chanted the buoyant Arsenal fans as they disappeared down the turnstiles after extending their lead at the summit of the Premier League table to five points after
10 games.

For an audience weened on a diet of false dawns in recent times, there is a wariness about excessive optimism among those on the terraces. There were no ditties predicting 'We're going to win the league.' Not yet. They know better in these parts.

Nine years of trophy famine has that kind of effect, even on the supporters of a club of Arsenal's illustrious past.

Main man: Aaron Ramsey is pumped up after slamming home in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Liverpool

Main man: Aaron Ramsey is pumped up after slamming home in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Liverpool

Goal bound: Ramsey (left) celebrates Arsenal's second with Santi Cazorla (right), who smashed home the first

Goal bound: Ramsey (left) celebrates Arsenal's second with Santi Cazorla (right), who smashed home the first

But should Arsenal continue to produce performances like this, the rank and file will truly start to believe that their side can reclaim the title for the first time since 2004.

Against Liverpool, Arsenal were at their brilliant best, bursting with fluid counter-attacking and electric movement.

The tempo to Arsenal's game was blistering, blurs of red hunting in packs and forcing errors from a Liverpool side usually so well-oiled in receiving the ball under pressure.

Aaron Ramsey was terrific again, powering into tackles to win the ball from Steven Gerrard and dispossessing Lucas Leiva with the sheer force of his upper body strength on two occasions in the first half.

This is a determined, gifted player at the peak of his game, totally confident in his abilities and driving Arsenal forward on every occasion. His tenth goal of the season was no fluke, dipping unerringly over Mignolet and into the top corner to double Arsenal's lead and finish the game as a serious contest.

Game on: Santi Cazorla scored Arsenal's opening goal as they stay top of the Premier League

Game on: Santi Cazorla scored Arsenal's opening goal as they stay top of the Premier League

If the end of season awards were handed out at Christmas, Ramsey would be the leading contender for the individual prize. He has been that good.

Perhaps only playing due to the enforced absence of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla was the star turn, stationed on the left-wing but roaming here, there and everywhere demanding the ball, committing opponents and making things happen.

One sharp turn on the half-way line left Steven Gerrard on his backside, chasing back in bewilderment. The Spaniard's half-volley to open the scoring after nineteen minutes was so sweetly struck and perfectly executed.

Alongside him, Ozil delivered another performance glistening with star quality, the ball seemingly adhered to his left foot, as he gave the slip to Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson time after time.

The German was so sleek, so composed, always keeping a cool head in a frenetic midfield battle.

Addressing the Manchester Lowry audience earlier this week, Sir Alex Ferguson reminisced about Eric Cantona, noting that the Frenchman 'made a simple pass look great'. The same can be said of the majestic Ozil, who appears effortless yet mesmerisingly precise in his distribution.

Instrumental: While looking menacing at times, Daniel Sturridge (left) and his strike partner Luis Suarez (below) couldn't breach the Gunners defence

Instrumental: While looking menacing at times, Daniel Sturridge (left) and his strike partner Luis Suarez (below) couldn't breach the Gunners defence

Luiz suarez

Luis Suarez

Confidence flooded through the Arsenal ranks and their development into serious contenders is embodied as much by Olivier Giroud, all sparky attacking and selfless endeavour, as the headline acts of Cazorla and Ozil.

Up against three centre backs, the Frenchman embraced the challenge and was influential once again on Saturday. His intelligent movement and robust hold-up play stretched the Liverpool defence, pulling Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho out to the wide areas and freeing up space for the supporting cast to exploit.

Liverpool's experimental 3-5-2 formation didn't work, with Brendan Rodgers' players looking uncomfortable from back to front. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet sliced two clearances and dropped a cross.

Ideal result: Arsene Wenger raises his arms in satisfaction as Arsenal's performance is capped off by Ramsey's goal

Ideal result: Arsene Wenger raises his arms in satisfaction as Arsenal's performance is capped off by Ramsey's goal

Aly Cissokho, as the left wing-back was completely out of his depth, exposed as a liability defensively and equally unconvincing in his attacking forays, running into cul-de-sacs and squandering possession. He was subbed at the break by Rodgers, who introduced Coutinho and restored a more familiar 4-4-2 formation.

They immediately looked more assured, as Liverpool briefly rallied at the beginning of the second half. Suarez twice sprinted in behind the home defence and only the timely intervention of Laurent Koscielny and a miscued volley by Jordan Henderson spared Arsenal's errant offside trap.

Hard yards: Ramsey also got down to the dirty work in the midfield against Steven Gerrard

Hard yards: Ramsey also got down to the dirty work in the midfield against Steven Gerrard

Often hailed as a tactical innovator, Rodgers got it wrong here. Gerrard was unusally off-the-pace, Leiva was overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of Arsenal's pressing.

Still, that potent striking partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez remained menacing, always on the move and worrying defenders. But the two never really clicked as a duo on this occasion.

Even the best have off nights and attention should be focused on Arsenal's formidable centre-back pairing, with the organisational qualities of Per Mertesacker perfectly complementing Laurent Koscielny's more impulsive tendencies.

Tall timber: Arsenal's Per Mertesacker (left) and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny are all smiles after clean sheet

Tall timber: Arsenal's Per Mertesacker (left) and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny are all smiles after clean sheet

Arsenal didn't need a Suarez figure here and the home fans teased the Uruguayan, singing 'You should have signed for a big club'.

Given Liverpool's heritage, it was a little disingenuous but it was that kind of night for Arsenal fans, when everything made sense.

Two more showings like this one by Arsenal against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and Manchester United next weekend, and Suarez may just end up wishing that the 40million (and one pound) move to the Emirates went through after all.



The comments below have not been moderated.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, funniest article I've read in a while.

Mediastarguest ,Madrid- arsenal were relegated pre ww1, but bribed their way back into the top tier.

It all depends on how Wenger does in the January Transfer Market because their bench looked quite weak vs Liverpool

Who cares? Weve always been a big club, now, ten years ago or seventy years ago. Weve always challenged, always tried and have won and lost to the biggest clubs in Europe. Were always in the shake-up, stadium always packed and known throughout the world. Never been relegated. When the League was impossible to win we won it. When they said it couldnt be won unbeaten we done it. When Inter beat us 3-0 we went and beat them 5-0 ! EVERY GAME WE PLAY WE EXPECT TO WIN. Thats Arsenal FC.

I personally think that if we can reproduce the level of performance we did on Saturday against both Dortmund and Man U, then we can win both games. Dortmund have not been convincing when facing big teams this season. They were fortunate to win against Bayern in the German Super Cup, fortunate to draw against them in their Bundesliga match and also fortunate to win against us in the Champions League. Let's not forget Napoli beat them in the opening Group F game. Don't even get me started on Man U. The results are important but also the performance in the next two games

Dortmund brought you down to earth, they dominated you, and you have to play well to beat Bayern, so to call them unconvincing is the biggest joke.

If we were 50 points clear then I would be reasonably confident of winning the Premiership. But we are 5 points clear and to the best of my knowledge no-one has won it in November. However it is great watching them play with confidence. The best thing about Saturday's game: a clean sheet against SaS MA was stunning but we need MF fit again fast!

Loving the almost manic comments from the haters. You're really really scared now as well you should be and your comments are almost comedic in their level of spite and vitriol. As for us we are just playing the games as they come up and doing our best. It seems to working given we are top of league and two games clear. We are so ready. Shame you're not. As for those who think Man U will win next Sunday you're in for a v rude awakening.

Well for haters i can only say WE ARE ALWAYS BEHIND OUR TEAM EVEN WHEN THERE WERE NOT WINNING ANYTHING. So we are just enjoying out game at the moment. Who cares about tomorrow? Because WE CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING ACROSS THE LEAGUE NOW ;))) COYG

Arsenal did look fairly impressive yesterday

why are all these so call supporters knocking arsenal why noy worry about their own team who im sure would love to be where arsenal are at the moment.

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