The conservative pundit Rich Lowery once said this about ex-vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin - 'I'm sure I'm not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, "Hey, I think she just winked at me." And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America. This is a quality that can't be learned; it's either something you have or you don't, and man, she's got it.' - Please now do the following and substitute Palin's name for Arsenal FC!

Over the course of the 18 Premier League opening days we have witnessed some stunning exhibitions but surely nothing can ever top what Arsene Wenger and his Gunners did to Everton. This was a display of raw intent that contained not only the dazzling teamwork we expect to see from Arsenal but a new look maturity. I know, I know its only one match but traditionally the North Londoners have been nothing short of excellent when the sun is out. Their record last season during the balmy days of Fall & Spring bare that out. Between August and the beginning of November there were only two loses while in April and May only the Chelsea debacle blotted their copy book. In other words, when the sun is out there is only one team to watch in England if you want to see the 'beautiful game'.

The 'beautiful game' we speak of belongs to Arsene Wenger and there is no doubt in my mind that while other managers think they may possess the 'beautiful game' very few have the guts to put it into practice. This vision the Frenchman has, has now become a high wire balancing act after four trophy-less seasons between money and style. "Other clubs have more money. At Arsenal we try to go a different way that, for me, is respectable. When you buy all the time, it becomes a trap. The team we have now gets there, and by that I mean it wins the championship. At 22 or 23 I think a team is mature enough to deliver, and this is a massively important year for our club. To talk of winning the league is an audacious statement, but I built this team, and I want to deliver with this team," he said this week and although I think we've heard it before, somehow this version rings of the truth.

I believe that this season could be the one to get that elusive silverware that has evaded them since the FA Cup in 2005. Two big egos have been moved out in the form of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor freeing up space for the younger players to fully express themselves. With this new found maturity, Cesc Fabregas truly knows that this is his team - Robin van Persie truly feels that he is the number one striker - Andriy Arshavin will have a whole season of English football to dazzle - Eduardo, the purest goal scorer in the Premiership has recovered from injury - and Manuel Almunia wants to play for England. If all these ingredients fire consistently and the sun stays out, Arsenal will be the team to beat. This is England though and the sun doesn't stay out forever!

The knock on Arsenal is the lack of depth and the fact that they 'don't fancy it up 'em' on those brutal Northern winter nights. On the first matter the Arsenal board must convince Wenger that if he needs to spend, he has to spend. Buying Thomas Vermaelen is a step in the right direction and he mustn't be afraid to do the same again. On the second point they must find a way to turn those ugly draws into scrappy, grinding wins in the fashion of a Manchester United. Until they do the title will always be just out of reach.

 If you're an Arsenal fan you'll be hoping that parts of the first statement I made come true. What you'll not want though is the same outcome as Palin, who came on strong but faded dreadfully down the stretch. However if you're sitting up straighter in May, it'll be because of the medals hanging on your necks and the feeling of pride.

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.